In Lakeway
Passing along some holiday news from the Lake Travis Community Library
Local families in need will get holiday cheer from Lake Travis Labor of Love’s Green Santa program. LTlov takes donations of NEW AND UNWRAPPED GIFTS for Lake Travis area children. Registered children range in age from infant to 17 years and are living at or below the poverty line. Suggested gifts include sports equipment, dolls, puzzles and games, gift cards, toddler toys, and art supplies. You can drop off your donations at the library; the deadline is Monday, November 29th. CASH donations are also encouraged; checks can be made out to LTlov or send funds via Venmo to @DonateLTlov.
LTCL has re-started its rotating ART EXHIBITS. Through December, the photography of Beth Yoder and Caitlin Yoder can be seen in the meeting room during library hours.
Meet and Greet for Police Chief Glen Koen
On Thursday, December 2, between 5:30 and 7pm, stop by the Police Station (1941 Lohmans Crossing Road) to say hello to Chief Koen, along with other PD officers, and enjoy light snacks.
Trail of Lights
This beloved tradition opens with a special “Lights On!” Ceremony on Saturday, December 4, 6pm, at City Hall. After that, you can stroll through the light display every night.
Road work
Less fun that holiday activities, but much needed! Asphalt overlay is scheduled for Nov. 22-24, as well as the week of Nov. 29 on these streets: Debba Drive, Cavalier Canyon Drive, Sparrow Lane, Knarr Street, Schooner Drive, Tallstar Drive, Dolphin Drive, Indian Bend Drive, Robin Dale Court, Robin Dale Drive, Cutlass, Bermuda Street, Dragon, Highlander Street, Flamingo, and Dart.
Lakeway Council met in Regular Session on Monday, Nov. 15
11/21/21 UPDATE: Per Mayor Kilgore on the 2-year deadline (Item 11) for extending Main Street and Lohmans Spur: “The clock started Nov. 16th when I signed the ordinance.”
Consequential Agenda items include these (RESULTS IN ALL CAPS):
ITEM 11–Lohmans Spur Road Phasing Agreement. Pursuant to Council’s Oct.18 approval of the Square on Lohmans PUD, the developer agreed to begin the Main Street and Lohmans Spur extension within 1 year and complete these roads within 2 years. This Item 11 agreement includes in the timeline the portion of Lohmans Spur that is contained within the developer’s Tuscan Village PUD. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY [NOTE: per Mayor Kilgore, the agreement was signed Nov. 16, starting the clock.]
ITEM 13–Revise and consolidate the Preliminary Plans covering Phases 1, 2 and 3 of Legend’s Lakeway Highlands/Rough Hollow 1,555 acre development. This item was heard at the Oct. 18 Council meeting but was TABLED due to needing info from LCRA and/or the city engineer on water quality issues. Now, the staff report states that the city met with LRCA, with this result: “CBD is asking to move ahead with the approval of this revised and consolidated preliminary plan with the condition that a water quality treatment plan is approved by LCRA. Such plan could include a batch extended detention pond with an automatic shut-off valve and gabion wall.” PASSED 6:0 (Council Member Kumar had stepped out and did not vote.)
ITEM 14—Second Reading for Amendment to Eastside Landing Development Agreement to eliminate the requirements for the developer to 1) construct Flint Rock Road and 2) subdivide the north side into R-1 lots. Per the developer, the topography complicates road construction at this time, so it proposes dedication of the 100-foot wide right of way and making an agreed upon payment so the City takes on responsibility for the future extension of Flint Rock Road through the property. Also, the developer wants to transfer the north side as 1 single-family lot, instead of dividing that area into R-1 lots at this time. At the Nov. 1 Council meeting, staff instructed to continue working on the issues. Now, the developer specifies payment of $160,707.50 to aid the City in the future development of Flint Rock Road. Another change is that the parkland dedication will be up to 3 acres of land, with any additional obligation in the form of payment in lieu of land. DENIED UNANIMOUSLY [This action retains the original development agreement, with staff instructed to work with the developer.]
ITEM 15–Zoning Eastside Landing property as R-1 and R-3. DEVELOPER WITHDREW THIS ITEM (due to the action immediately above).
ITEM 16—Sweetwater Development Agreement, FIRST Reading. In July, Council repealed a 2008 ordinance and thereby captured within the city’s ETJ property on Hwy. 71 not already captured by City of Bee Cave. This includes the ongoing Sweetwater development. This agreement states Sweetwater can continue construction under Travis County rules and oversight, and Lakeway will not impose its building code. NO DECISION (as this was just the first reading).
ITEM 20—Zoning request for the Nightingale Project. Owners of 7.76 acres on 620 at Nightingale Road want to build 248 apartment units in dense configuration with several variances. It is proposed as a PUD, which allows the city considerable control. The land is now zoned as commercial and agricultural, yet nearby home owners are upset by this proposed residential use of the property. Many local business owners support the project, as it would be workforce housing and should help with Lakeway’s long-time hiring problems. The matter was reviewed over the summer; ZAPCO denied approval, then the owner withdrew the item from Council review. Now, the project is back; TXDOT’s assurance of a stop light is firmer, and the retention pond is under the park. Several variances would be needed, including for density, parking spots, and park size and use. ZAPCO again denied approval on Nov. 8. (Hence, a supermajority vote—three-quarters of Council–would be required to approve the request.) THE 3 REQUESTS WERE HANDLED IN 1 MOTION AND DENIED 4:3.
ITEM 21—Executive Session re: an economic development prospect. NO ACTION
ADJOURNED 11:36PM.
Go here for the Agenda, Meeting Packet and Presentation— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
Go here to watch the Council meeting online— https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/148212
Texas Elections
Finally, we have Beto! “I’m running to serve the people of Texas, and I want to make sure that we have a governor that serves everyone, helps to bring this state together to do the really big things before us and get past the small, divisive politics and policies of Greg Abbott. It is time for change.” That is a tall order, but if anyone can do it now, it is Beto O’Rourke. Beto O’Rourke says he’s running for Texas governor 11/15/21 https://www.texastribune.org/2021/11/15/beto-orourke-texas-governor-2022/
Plus, this lackluster maybe/maybe not candidate falters. Matthew McConaughey is hesitant about COVID-19 vaccines for young children. Experts urge otherwise. 11/11/21 https://news.yahoo.com/matthew-mcconaughey-hesitant-covid-19-140025217.html
Another Democrat entered the race for Lt. Governor, which already has Dems Matthew Dowd and Mike Collier challenging Republican incumbent Dan Patrick. Michelle Beckley, one of the Texas House’s most liberal members, joins Democratic primary for lieutenant governor 11/16/21 https://www.texastribune.org/2021/11/16/texas-lieutenant-governor-2022-michelle-beckley/
So, where can this nutbar do the least amount of damage—US Congress or Texas AG’s office? U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert exploring run against Attorney General Ken Paxton in increasingly crowded GOP primary 11/9/21 https://www.texastribune.org/2021/11/09/louie-gohmert-texas-attorney-general-2022/
Another Democrat will vie for Land Commissioner. Jay Kleberg, an Austin-based conservationist whose family owns the King Ranch, wants to use the office (which handles the state’s mineral rights and 13M acres of land) to fight climate change, manage the state’s disaster recovery, and improve veterans’ benefits. Three other Dems are also in the race, plus four Republicans, including Trump-endorsed state Sen. Dawn Buckingham of Lakeway. Jay Kleberg of Texas’ King Ranch family is running for land commissioner as a Democrat 11/18/21 https://www.texastribune.org/2021/11/18/texas-land-commissioner-2022-democrats/
Daring Mighty Things
Anyone interesting in astronomy should make a habit of clicking on this US government site: Astronomy Picture of the Day. Every day, it offers a new and fascinating celestial image with professional explanation. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
See something in the night sky? Here you go!
Russia’s surprise weapons-test destruction one of its old satellites on Nov. 15 forced the ISS crew of American and Russian astronauts to take shelter in their Dragon and Soyuz spacecraft, in case the station was damaged by debris and they had to make an emergency return to Earth. While things are now back to normal on the space station, NASA estimates that over 1,500 new debris projectiles are orbiting the planet, posing hazards to the ISS, satellites and all spacecraft. Satellite debris forces space station crew to take shelter; U.S. blames “reckless” Russian missile test 11/15/21 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/satellite-debris-space-station-crew-take-shelter/
One troubled NASA mission finally returned from ISS to Earth, the crew in diapers for the 8 hour flight due to a busted toilet. SpaceX Carries NASA Astronaut Mission Home With Safe Water Landing 11/9/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/09/science/spacex-nasa-water-landing.html
Two days later, the next NASA mission blasted off for ISS, again via a SpaceX Dragon craft. The new mission will last 6 months. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 Astronauts Headed to International Space Station 11/10/21 https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-s-spacex-crew-3-astronauts-headed-to-international-space-station
Commuting to the ISS is one thing, but going to the moon is something else. NASA recently delayed by a year (at least) its timeline for returning to the moon, saying “The Trump administration’s ambitious goal was not grounded in technical feasibility.” NASA delays moon landing to ‘no earlier than 2025’ 11/9/21 https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/09/nasa-delays-moon-landing-2025-520468
Back to me….
I’m getting ready to tackle a new paint project—always exciting! This time, I am re-painting the inside of my garage. Somehow, I ended up with an extra 5 gallon bucket of Agreeable Gray after painting the house interior in 2018, so I may as well use it.
Good books I recently finished (available at Lake Travis Community Library):
Midnight in Washington (2021), by Adam Schiff—The good Congressman’s subtitle says it all—How we almost lost our democracy and still could. Schiff spent the Covid lockdown writing this book, and he relates the behind the scenes details of the Trump presidency, including countless moral outrages, myriad legal entanglements, numerous Constitutional gaffes, TWO impeachments, and one insurrection. Early on, it is clear that Schiff is on Trump’s most hated list—and why. Not only is the material fascinating, but the book is very well written, something professional writers in the political field rarely attain.
A Death in the Small Hours (2012), by Charles Finch—This Charles Lenox mystery is new to LTCL’s holdings, and I enjoyed it even though the series has progressed considerably in recent years. These books are among my favorite period detective tales, effortlessly conjuring up Victorian England in all its sordid glory.
Here are some recent photos of our deer, taken on my morning walks.
The Coronavirus
Worldwide, Europe continues to account for well over half the world’s Covid deaths, as it did in October.
Romania has the highest rate of death from Covid, in the entire world–7 times the death rate per capita in the US. Officials blame rampant misinformation and scare tactics deployed by religious leaders and politicians, with fake news stoked by social media. As a result, Romania has a vaccination rate of only 44% (among the lowest in Europe).
The Czech Republic is fighting a record-breaking surge by banning all UNvaccinated people from public events and services.
Austria tried to quell its worst Covid surge ever by implementing a nation-wide lockdown on all UNvaccinated people age 12 and up, confining them to their homes for 10 days. When that failed to make the needed improvement in cases and hospitalizations, officials extended the lockdown to EVERYONE; the only exceptions are grocery stores and schools (where students and staff are regularly tested).
Germany has been setting daily records for new cases, during its fourth wave. Testing is again being done free of charge. Proof of vaccination, recent Covid recovery or negative test are required to use public transit, go to work in person, or access entertainment venues.
Russia has exceeded 250,000 Covid deaths. Only four other countries have officially surpassed the grim quarter-million milestone (US—760K; Brazil—610K; India—470K; and Mexico—290K).
Greece now prohibits UNvaccinated people from entering cinemas, theaters, museums and gymnasiums, even if they show a recent negative test.
The Netherlands last week initiated a lockdown to fight its fourth wave of Covid. Rotterdam experienced “an orgy of violence” as a result, causing police to fire warning shots and make arrests.
In the US, in the last 2 weeks, cases have increased 30%, hospitalizations are up 3%, and deaths dropped 6%. We are averaging 93,000new cases per day. 49,000 Americans are currently hospitalized with Covid, and the death rate averages 1,100 people per day.
That 30% increase in cases is concentrated in the west, midwest and northeast. A winter surge seems inevitable.
Minnesota is the current Covid hotspot, with confirmed cases rising over 50% in the last 2 weeks. The state is experiencing hospitalizations and deaths on the same high level as last winter, and federal teams of medical personnel are being mobilized to assist.
New Mexico is also experiencing a strong surge. Some experts point to the fact the state has a high proportion of young children not yet vaccinated. Others wonder if the state’s early success at vaccinations means more people’s protection is waning.
In Texas, the current positivity test rate is 7%, up from 5% 2 weeks ago. We are averaging 3,400 new cases and 82 deaths daily. As of now, there are 3,300 Texans hospitalized for Covid-19. In the last 2 weeks, cases have increased 6%, hospitalizations dropped 12%, and deaths are down 20%.
Experts are concerned that the improvement Texas saw in the last few months slowed then started to turn in the other direction, and there are signs the state is heading for yet another surge.
To date, Texas has had 4.25 million confirmed Covid cases. Over 70,000 Texans have died—over 10% of the national death total. Only California has suffered to a larger extent. Now, Texas is on pace to surpass that more densely populated state and will soon have the shameful distinction of leading the country in confirmed cases and deaths.
Vaccinations–the safe path to herd immunity
Worldwide, 7.6 billion shots have been given, with 42% of the planet’s population fully vaccinated.
India has given over 1 BILLION vaccine shots.
Cambodia, with 88% of its population vaccinated, has opened to fully vaccinated tourists. Thailand and Vietnam are doing the same, although with some destination restrictions and interim testing.
Singapore’s government has stopped paying the cost of Covid care for people who choose not to be vaccinated. Latvia has banned UNvaccinated lawmakers from voting in parliament.
Austria got a wave of shots in arms when it barred UNvaccinated people from restaurants, pubs, salons, gyms, and theaters. But, its vax rate is still just 66%, one of the lowest in Europe. A recent surge is being combated with a nationwide lockdown, and officials just announced a vaccine mandate, as of Feb. 1. Austria is the first western democracy to mandate vaccination nationwide.
Switzerland has low vaccination rates, especially in its German-speaking region. Along with neighbors Austria and Germany, Switzerland’s vaccination attitude has been politicized nearly to the extreme degree seen in America.
Israel credits widespread booster shots with rapidly bringing its summer surge under control.
The Australian Open will require all players to be fully vaccinated, in order to participate in the January competition.
In the US, 59% of the entire population is fully vaccinated; 69% of adults are fully vaccinated. On average, we are now giving around 1,500,000 shots per day, including boosters. About 33 million booster shots have been given.
Roughly 100 million Americans have yet to receive a single dose of the coronavirus vaccine.
In the first week of eligibility, over 1 million children age 5-11 got their first vaccination shots. To date, nearly 10% of kids in this age group have gotten a shot.
On Nov. 19, the CDC approved booster shots for all adults. Now, everyone is eligible for a booster 6 months after the second Phizer or Moderna jab and 2 months after a J&J shot, regardless of age or medical condition. As before, mix and match is allowed; experts suggest getting a Moderna booster after 2 original Phizer shots, and vice versa, could provide maximum immunity. This comes after numerous studies showed immunity fading over time. In fact, several states (Colorado, California, New York, New Mexico, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Massachusetts) were already urging all adults to get booster shots, as they tried to curb growing caseloads.
NYC is planning to return this year to its usual New Years celebration in Times Square. Proof of vaccination will be required in order to attend.
Disney Cruise Lines requires all passengers over age 5 to be fully vaccinated.
Not only do we now have a pandemic of the UNvaccinated, but we increasingly have a REPUBLICAN pandemic. In October (and using 2020 election stats), 25 out of every 100,000 residents of heavily Trump counties died from Covid; that is over THREE TIMES HIGHER than the Covid death rate in heavily Biden counties (7.8 per 100,000). October continued the trend of this gap widening, month by month. This correlates with the current stats showing 40% of Republican adults still not vaccinated, versus just 10% of Democratic adults.
The Biden’s administration’s OSHA rule that workplaces with over 100 employees require vaccination or frequent testing is moving through the federal court system, to be decided by the US Supreme Court, likely this winter. First, several similar cases are being combined, to be heard by a randomly selected 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. 6th Circuit Court ‘wins’ lottery to hear lawsuits against Biden’s vaccine rule 11/16/21 https://www.npr.org/2021/11/16/1056121842/biden-lawsuit-osha-vaccine-mandate-court-lottery
In Texas, only 54% of all residents and 64% of adults are fully vaccinated.
Texans–GET VACCINATED. Latest study of the 29K Texans who died of Covid in 2021 shows that 92% were NOT vaccinated. ONLY 8% of the dead were vaccinated, and most of those were over age 75, making them the most vulnerable.
Recent Covid articles I recommend….
CDC chief approves Covid-19 boosters for all adults 11/19/21 https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/19/cdc-vaccine-advisors-endorse-boosters-for-all-adults-523058
Can Covid Winter Be Merry and Bright? We Asked the Experts. 11/17/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/17/opinion/covid-thanksgiving-holiday-risk.html
Why Don’t We Have a Covid Vaccine for Pets? 11/15/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/15/health/coronavirus-vaccine-cats-dogs-pets.html
Covid cases are surging in Europe. America is in denial about what lies in store for it 11/12/21 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/12/covid-cases-surging-europe-america-denial
Texas schools can again set their own face mask rules after federal judge overrules Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban 11/10/21https://www.texastribune.org/2021/11/10/texas-schools-mask-mandate-ban-overturned/
Ready to holiday? Before you gather with family and friends, think about COVID-19 safety 11/8/21 https://www.statesman.com/story/news/healthcare/2021/11/08/austin-covid-safety-holiday-season-how-gather-celebrate-lower-risk/6179753001/
U.S. Covid Deaths Get Even Redder 11/8/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/08/briefing/covid-death-toll-red-america.html
Unvaccinated Texans make up vast majority of COVID-19 cases and deaths this year, new state data shows 11/8/21https://www.texastribune.org/2021/11/08/texas-coronavirus-deaths-vaccinated/