How to help Ukraine—DONATE with confidence the funds will be used to help those who need it.
—Mercy Corps is near the top of every list I’ve seen of groups doing life-saving work in Ukraine. Plus, it has an A rating from CharityWatch. https://www.mercycorps.org/
—Charity Watch (a watchdog group that monitors charities and investigates donation fraud) lists several Top-Rated Charities Providing Aid In Ukraine. Go here for info on what each group is doing, with links to click and donate with confidence. https://www.charitywatch.org/charity-donating-articles/top-rated-charities-providing-aid-in-ukraine?fbclid=IwAR0v_F0qrm5YiOIjpk6YQdUAHr7QVmCcwsrgF3tXj3R0y6JjVcEk-jPrbJY
Council Campaign Updates
Nina KNOWS Lakeway
It has been 2 months since I filed to run for Lakeway City Council. Busy times! Campaign signs, creating a website and a Facebook page, talking to groups, attending meetings, getting to know SO MANY people and LISTENING TO THEM.
That’s what really matters. People always ask me what I think about this issue or that one, and I get that; everyone wants to know what a candidate thinks. But, what really matters is what Lakeway residents think—what they are interested in and are concerned may be going wrong. So, I have a plan to get more input from all over Lakeway. More on that COMING SOON!
Current HOT TOPIC in Lakeway: Workforce Housing PUD proposed for Hwy. 71 and Bee Creek Road. Workforce housing provides reduced rent to workers earning up to 60% of the area’s median income, allowing people to live where they work. Lakeway needs workers, and workers need housing. This looks like the right project in the right location. Lakeway Council considers it on April 4. My campaign’s Facebook page has all the details (look for my March 16, 11 and 2 posts), and updates will be posted there. https://www.facebook.com/Nina4Lakeway
My Policies page has detailed info on my position on TEN ISSUES now facing Lakeway. https://www.nina4lakeway.com/policies
Local CANDIDATE FORUMS
Municipal Elections Candidates Forum presented by Lake Travis Progressives, Lake Travis Democrats, and Tuscan Village Voters
NOTE: THE DATE HAS CHANGED. This Forum will now be held on Tuesday, April 19.
Lakeway Council candidates will lead off at 6PM, followed by LTISD School Board candidates at 7PM, and Bee Cave Mayoral candidates at 8PM. This forum is ONLINE, open to all to VIEW LIVE here: www.facebook.com/LakeTravisProgressives/
Candidate Forum presented on behalf of Rough Hollow
Thursday, April 14, with a Meet and Greet at 7PM and the Q&A session at 8PM, at the Rough Hollow Highland Village Pavilion (next to the swimming pools). While the event is targeted to Rough Hollow, all Lakeway residents are welcome to attend.
Voters Guides COMING SOON!
The League of Women Voters Austin Area will create a May 2022 Local Election Voters Guide. It will be published online at www.LWVAustin.org and at www.VOTE411.org prior to April 25 (start of early voting).
Community Impact Newspaper will publish a Voters Guide (print version and online) in April. Watch your mailbox for the April issue. Here is a link to the online newspaper: https://communityimpact.com/news/austin/lake-travis-westlake/
YARD SIGNS are available
If you want a yard sign delivered, let me know. nina4lakeway@gmail.com
How to contribute
CONTRIBUTIONS are gratefully accepted, so I can win a seat in this crowded election.
*Venmo: @Nina4Lakeway *PayPal: There is a PayPal button on the campaign website. https://www.nina4lakeway.com/
*Check: Make it out to Nina Davis Campaign Fund and contact me for the mailing address OR to have it picked up.
Stay updated via my Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Nina4Lakeway
Let’s Make Lakeway Even Better!
What is going on in Lakeway ….
Actually, a LOT is going on. Lakeway is in full bloom with fun activities and opportunities!
Swim Lessons AND Hiring Opportunities at Lakeway’s Swim Center
Online registration is NOW OPEN for group and private swim lessons at the Lakeway Swim Center. Lessons for kids 6 months to 12 years are Monday through Thursday, June 6 through August 4. Register here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1840/Swim-Lessons
The Swim Center is looking for lifeguards, swim instructors and front desk/concession attendant for the upcoming season. If interested, apply here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/84/Swim-Center
20th Annual Lakeway Photo Festival
This fun event celebrates the unique beauty of our area and the amazing talents of our local photographers. Categories include Nature, Wildlife, Community, Artistic and Student plus two brand new categories: Pets and Foodie. Amateur or professional photographers as well as LTISD photography students can enter. All photos must be taken in the City of Lakeway. Submissions accepted April 1 through May 10. Awards reception will be held May 22nd at 4pm at the Lakeway Activity Center. Sponsored by the City of Lakeway Arts Committee. Go here for more info: https://lakewayartsdistrict.com/2022-photo-festival/
Garage Sale at Lakeway Activity Center
The next community garage sale is Saturday, April 9 from 8AM to noon. Admission is FREE, but in the LAC lobby you can donate non-perishable food items and items for pets, going to local community food banks and animal shelters.
EGGstravaganza!
Bring your baskets to Lakeway City Park on Saturday, April 9, 2PM. This free event features vendors, bunny photos, and chalk art competitions. Age-specific egg hunts will take place between 2:45 and 3:45 PM, each with a ‘golden egg’ and a special prize inside. Details are here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/717/Eggstravaganza
Protest your property taxes online
Lakeway Activity Center is offering Texas Property Tax Protest – 101, a 2-hour workshop on protesting your own property taxes online. $18 charge. Workshop covers the documents involved, deadlines, procedures, and how to present an effective case. Taught by Rachel Duck, senior tax consultant at the property tax law firm, Popp Hutcheson PLLC. There are 3 days/times to choose from: April 9 10am-12pm, May 7 10am-12pm, May 11 6pm-8pm. https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTE4OTU5MzA=
Transportation Town Hall
Town Hall Series with City Manager Julie Oakley continues Thursday, April 21 5:30-6:30PM at the Lakeway Activity Center. Topic: Transportation, reviewing potential upcoming projects. After an introduction by City Manager Oakley, residents can visit stations ask questions of city staff and leave feedback.
If you missed the first meeting in this series, covering Building Development Services, go here to watch the 50-minute video: https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/154791
Lakeway Sing Along Returns with All You Need is Love
On April 29 and April 30, Lakeway Sing Along returns to the Activity Center in “All You Need Is Love,” celebrating the glories and heartbreaks of love with dinner and music. Dinner is at 6:30PM, with the performance at 7:30PM. Tickets are $38, available now for Activity Center members, with general sales starting March 28. Call the LAC (512) 261-1010 for info.
Lakeway Players presents Rough Crossing
This Tom Stoppard comedy runs May 5, 6 and 7. Members can buy tickets starting March 28. Non-member purchases start April 4. https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog/index?filter=dGFiJTVCNzI4MiU1RD0xJnNlYXJjaD0mcmVudGFsJTVCZnJvbSU1RD0mcmVudGFsJTVCdG8lNUQ9
Lake Travis Community Library offers tech assistance
Those with questions about a computer, phone, tablet, or other tech can drop in for one-on-one technology assistance from volunteer tech coaches. Sessions are on a first come, first served basis, Monday through Thursday from 12pm to 2pm. Also, you can email the tech coaches at techcoach@laketravislibrary.org for assistance with any tech questions or challenges you have. More tech help here– https://laketravislibrary.org/tech-coach/
Lake Travis Film Festival
LTFF offers much more than just watching movies; participants become part of the film-making process. Plus, there are lots of ways to get involved –membership, badges, donation, volunteering, and more. Check it out! https://www.laketravisfilmfestival.com/ Save the date for this year’s film-making adventure—Sept. 15-18.
Blood Drive info
I had a great experience donating blood last week at the Activity Center. Everything was well organized, and I was done and out the door in under 30 minutes. It is an important cause, of course. Plus—FREE JUICE AND COOKIES!
It was run by the group We are Blood, and they are at LAC every 2 months. Some other options nearby are Rough Hollow Yacht Club and BSW Hospital in Lakeway. You can see upcoming dates and make an appointment to donate by entering your zip code here– https://weareblood.org/donor/schedule/
City of Lakeway is HIRING
Open positions include park maintenance, deputy court clerk, accountant, environmental coordinator, police officer, plus (for summer season) lifeguard, swim instructor and front desk concessions. To get complete info and apply, go here: https://tx-lakeway.civicplushrms.com/CareerPortal/Jobs.aspx
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Severe weather caused Council’s March 21 meeting to be cancelled. The Agenda was jam-packed with important and sometimes controversial items. The Agenda items from March 21 are being split into 2 meetings, on March 31 and April 4.
Thursday, March 31 Council Meeting, in-person, 6:30PM at City Hall
It will include appointments to the new aviation study committee, adding 2 Main Street-related items to the ongoing transportation engineering study, and some budgetary/spending items.
Consequential Agenda items include:
ITEM 6 (within the consent Agenda): Creating Aviation Zoning District Study Commission and appointing members as follows:
Mayor Kilgore appoints Ron Massa
Mayor Pro Tem Mastrangelo appoints Matt Sherman
Councilmember Higginbotham appoints William Cotton
Councilmember Kumar appoints Chris Lee
Councilmember Smith appoints Ed LeBlanc
Councilmember Trecker appoints JoAnn Anderson
Councilmember Vance appoints Randy Adams
ITEM 13: Citizens Participation for items NOT on the Agenda.
ITEM 16: Amending the budget to purchase 4 additional police patrol vehicles and 1 motorcycle unit (for $300K from the Capitol reserve Fund) in fiscal year 2022 rather than in fiscal year 2023 as planned, due to supply chain problems that have delayed 2021 purchases and are expected to continue.
ITEM 17: Lakeway Resort and Spa requests $120,000 in hotel occupancy tax funding for an advertising campaign.
ITEM 18: Adding 2 more projects to the ongoing transportation engineering study (increasing cost of the study by $39K). The projects are: 1) connecting Birrell Street from Medical Drive to Lohmans Spur; and 2) connecting Main Street through Phase 2 of The Oaks PUD, but being REVIEW ONLY of the pricing presented by the developer for a 130 ft. bridge spanning Yaupon Creek and connecting to the adjacent property.
ITEM 19: Funding the city’s required share (10%) of right of way costs associated with the upcoming Hwy. 620 expansion, the amount now due being $3,222,096.
ITEM 21: Executive Session covering police matters.
The Meeting Packet is here– https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3275
To send comments to Council beforehand (by noon on Monday, March 28) about any agenda item, go here and create a Public Comment Form– https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx
Go here to watch the Council meeting online (live or later)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events
Monday, April 4 Council Meeting, in-person, 6:30PM at City Hall
It will include consideration of a workforce housing project on Hwy. 71 and Bee Creek Road.
Consequential Agenda items include:
ITEMS 4 and 5: As to 16419 Clara Van, being 1.571 acres near the Marina, amending the Future land Use Map from residential to commercial, and also changing zoning from R-6 single-family to Marina. (ZAPCO recommended denial of both actions.)
ITEM 6: Special Use Permit covering 99 years for a 24-hour convenience store and gas station at 1301 RR 620 N. and Debba Drive.
ITEM 7: As to Lakeway Highlands and Rough Hollow, approval of the resubmitted consolidated and amended preliminary plan, with the addition of added water quality ponds at LCRA approved locations and the removal of the gas station. (ZAPCO recommended approval.)
ITEMS 8 and 9: As to 18214 W. Hwy. 71 at Bee Creek Road, a 14.89 tract, amending the Future land Use Map from Commercial to Mixed Use, and also changing the zoning from C-1 (office/retail) to PUD (Planned Unit Development), to include 276 workforce housing apartments and a restaurant. (ZAPCO recommended approval of both actions.) [The meeting packet, linked below and starting at page 109, includes detailed info on the apartments and on traffic issues, graphics showing the planned improvements, and an LTISD study relevant to the project’s projected impact on area schools.]
ITEM 10: License Agreements between Lakeway and various Rough Hollow subdivisions, to legitimize ongoing use of land in the city’s right of way for walls, lights, irrigation, signs, monuments and the like.
The Meeting Packet is here– https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3276
To send comments to Council beforehand (by noon on Friday, April 1) about any agenda item, go here and create a Public Comment Form– https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx
Go here to watch the Council meeting online (live or later)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events
Daring Mighty Things
SLS, the mega-rocket designed to go to the moon, rolled out of NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building, carrying the Orion spacecraft as far as the launch pad on March 18. Testing will happen well into April, checking out all systems right up to launch. The first planned mission, Artemis 1, will be an uncrewed flight around the moon, tentatively scheduled for May. Artemis 2 will be a crewed flight around the moon, likely in 2024. Artemis 3 will land a crew on the moon, not done since 1972, and is planned for 2025. NASA’s new moon rocket, its most powerful ever, rolls out for 1st time 3/17/22 https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-1-moon-mission-rollout-launch-pad
Three cosmonauts docked at ISS on March 19, wearing yellow suits with blue trim. The official statement is that crews always get to choose the color of their suits, and this time it just happened to match Ukraine’s flag. Russian cosmonauts board ISS wearing colours of Ukraine flag 3/19/22 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/mar/19/russian-cosmonauts-board-iss-wearing-colours-of-ukraine-flag
Back to me….
Here is a good book I recently finished (available at Lake Travis Community Library):
Watergate–A New History, 2022, by Garrett M. Graff—I thought I knew pretty much what happened with Watergate. Turns out, I did not. This amazing book covers EVERYTHING, including scores of other plots and scandals with tangential connections to what finally brought Nixon down.
Fawn season is coming! In recent years, Lakeway residents posted photos of new fawn parked in their yards during the first week of April. Don’t assume the fawns you spot on a walk or in your yard are abandoned; Mama Does leave newborn fawns to rest, while they graze in the vicinity, before collecting the babies and moving on. Here is more info here on how to tell if a fawn needs help (plus lots of adorable fawn photos from past seasons): https://ninawriteorwronginlakeway.com/parked-fawns-injured-deer/
Drive carefully! Dozens of fawns are hit by cars in Lakeway every spring. If you see a doe, assume there is a fawn with her; if you see one fawn, watch for another. COMING SOON: New roadside banners (courtesy of the Wildlife Advisory Committee) reminding drivers about wobbly and erratic fawns. Here are some recent photos of our deer herd.
The Coronavirus
Worldwide, the new BA.2 subvariant of Omicron became the dominant variant, per the W. H. O on March 23.
Asia and Europe are fighting Covid surges, causing new cases globally to start rising again.
In Asia, Omicron is the culprit. Hong Kong is the world’s hot spot, largely due to vaccine skepticism, which in turn arises from distrust of the increasingly repressive Chinese government. The new case rate there finally started dropping last week, but the death rate (already the highest in the world) is expected to continue rising for several weeks.
China continues to battle an Omicron surge, reporting the highest number of cases since the start of the pandemic and locking down province after province. China is one of very few countries still working a zero tolerance policy, as opposed to shifting toward endemic strategies. Disney Shanghai has closed, due to the surge.
South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Singapore, and many other Pacific countries are also battling Covid surges.
In Europe, the problem is BA.2, Omicron’s even more contagious variant. Britain, Germany, France, Italy and some other European countries are starting to report a surge of cases. Austria reinstituted an indoor mask mandate. Yet, Poland is dropping its indoor mask mandate and other restrictions next week, despite a low vaccination rate (59% of its population).
As for vaccinations, 11.2 billion shots have been given, with 57.9% of the planet’s population fully vaccinated.
Africa has the lowest vaccination rate, still only 14% across the continent.
Canada still prohibits unvaccinated foreign visitors from entering the country. So, unvaccinated MLB players cannot enter Canada to play against the Toronto Blue Jays. Per the league’s new labor agreement, these players will not be paid while the team is abroad.
In the US, in the last 2 weeks, cases have decreased 14%, hospitalizations are down 38%, and deaths decreased 37%. We are averaging 30,000new cases per day. 19,000 Americans are currently hospitalized with Covid, and the death rate averages 800 people per day.
Cases are still falling overall, but the Covid pendulum may well be swinging us back into a surge. Last week, the 7-day average of new Covid cases in the U.S. rose for the first time since January. New York, Connecticut and Arkansas reported cases rising by over 20%. But, hospitalizations are still falling. Deaths are under 1,000 per day for the first time since Omicron appeared.
In the US, BA.2 accounts for a growing proportion of new infections, about 25% as of March 20. This variant is estimated 30-50% more contagious than original Omicron. If BA.2 continues to spread, the 2-month long trend of falling case totals will reverse–just in time to ruin another summer. In another worrisome indicator, agencies that monitor Covid via wastewater report rising levels. Finally, experts point to the new surge in Europe; since the beginning of the pandemic, surges in the US have been presaged by surges in Europe. On the other hand, all the recent Omicron infections may protect people from this variant. Plus, being vaccinated and boosted all but guarantees very mild disease.
The US Capitol, closed to the public for over 2 years due to Covid, will begin reopening to tourists next week.
As for vaccination, in the US, 65% of the entire population is fully vaccinated (no change in 2 weeks). Average shots administered per day decreased to 224,000. 97 million booster shots have been given.
U.S. Covid vaccination rates have stalled. About a quarter of eligible adults remain unvaccinated, and half haven’t gotten a booster shot, as the loosening of pandemic restrictions lessened demand for vaccinations.
On March 16, Pfizer requested emergency authorization from the FDA for a second booster for those age 65 and older. On March 18, Moderna Pfizer requested emergency authorization from the FDA for a second booster for ALL adults.
The Biden administration has been debating a second booster, with experts split on the need for it. One view cites incomplete data on the waning of immunity from the first booster; there is also concern that, absent another virulent wave of infection, the vaccine would be largely wasted, while much of the world waits on any shots at all. The other view is that another wave is inevitable, and a second booster for older Americans would save countless lives as well as guard against minor cases causing hospitalization and/or resulting in long Covid, just as the first booster did against Omicron. As of March 26, it appears that a second booster (patient’s choice of Pfizer or Moderna) for those age 50 and up will be made available as an option in the US, but without specific recommendation that it is needed. The FDA and CDC would need to approve, but Americans 50+ could be getting second boosters at their local pharmacies as soon as early April.
New studies indicate the J&J vaccine is better than was thought, likely as effective at Moderna and Pfizer for preventing Covid-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths.
In Texas, the current positivity test rate is 2.6%. In the last 2 weeks, new cases increased 5%, hospitalizations dropped 38%, and deaths fell 46%. We are averaging 4,700 new cases and 52 deaths daily. As of now, there are 1,700 Texans hospitalized for Covid-19.
New cases are on the rise again in Texas. We had 32,000 new cases last week, as opposed to 25,000 new cases two weeks ago. Travis County reported the same trend.
However, Travis County ended COVID-19 restrictions last week. Austin Public Health Risk-Based Guidelines remain at Stage.
In Texas, only 61% of all residents are fully vaccinated.
Recent Covid articles I recommend….
Biden Administration Plans to Offer Second Booster Shots to Those 50 and Up 3/25/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/25/us/politics/biden-second-booster-shot-older-americans.html
Drugmakers, scientists begin the hunt for long COVID treatments 3/25/22 https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/drugmakers-scientists-begin-hunt-long-covid-treatments-2022-03-25/
Another Covid Surge May Be Coming. Are We Ready for It? 3/19/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/19/health/covid-ba2-surge-variant.html
Once again, America is in denial about signs of a fresh Covid wave 3/16/22 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/16/once-again-america-is-in-denial-about-signs-of-a-fresh-covid-wave
Pfizer and BioNTech Seek Authorization of a Second Booster Shot for Older Americans 3/16/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/15/us/politics/pfizer-second-booster-shot-older-americans.html
As Virus Data Mounts, the J.&J. Vaccine Holds Its Own 3/15/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/15/health/covid-johnson-vaccine.html