What is going on in Lakeway?
Art Exhibit at Lake Travis Community Library
For all of November and December, Lake Travis Community Library’s meeting room will display award-winning entries and honorable mentions from the annual Teen Read Week Art Contest. Participants created original art inspired by personal reading experiences. Friends of the Library provided cash prizes.
Lights Out, Texas! Through the end of November, please.
Audubon Texas urges Texans to turn off exterior lights where possible during the fall bird migration, 11PM-6AM, Aug. 15-Nov. 30.
As they say: “Each year during fall and spring migrations, nearly two billion birds travel through Texas in one of the planet’s greatest wildlife spectacles. This fall, one in every three birds migrating through the U.S. will pass through Texas from August 15 through November 30.” Go here for more: https://tx.audubon.org/urbanconservation/lights-out-texas
GREEN SANTA Donations
LTLov’s Green Santa gives toys and assistance to Lake Travis children and families at or below the poverty line. YOU can help by dropping off donations at Lake Travis Community Library by Wed., Nov. 30. Suggested gifts include sports equipment, dolls, puzzles and games, gift cards, toddler toys, and art supplies. Cash donations can be made via Venmo or checks payable to LTLov. (See the Sing Along entry below for another opportunity to donate.)
Lights On!
On Friday, Dec. 2, 6-8PM, Lakeway’s Lights On marks the official beginning of the holiday season, with the first lighting of the Trail of Lights behind City Hall (located at Lohman’s Crossing and Sailmaster; park at City Hall or the adjacent Activity Center). Santa and Mrs. Claus will of course be on hand, supervising the cookie decorating, marshmallow roasting, Reindeer Games, music, and more. All FREE, but please bring non-perishable food items to benefit Lake Travis Crisis Ministries. All the fun stuff is detailed here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1427/Lights-On
Lakeway Sing Along Christmas Show for Green Santa
On Dec. 4, there will be TWO performances at the Lakeway Activity Center of the Sing Along’s Annual Green Santa Performance. Choose from 2PM and 4PM. Price of admission is an unwrapped gift for a child 17 or under.
Polar Express + Train Rides
On Dec. 9, 6-8PM, Lakeway Parks and Rec will present “The Polar Express” along with trackless train rides, in the City Hall parking lot (1102 Lohmans Crossing). Wear holiday PJs and bring lawn chairs and snacks to this FREE event. Hot chocolate and smores will be provided.
History of Lakeway Bus Tours
Usually held in spring, these popular bus tours will be offered on Friday, January 20, 2023. Choose from 9:15AM, 11:15AM, and 1:15PM. Register NOW for this FREE event, which is expected to fill up quickly. More info and the registration link are here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1171/Heritage-Trail
Lake Travis Community Library DELIVERS
For those homebound due to mobility or medical issues, staff members deliver books, DVDs, audios and more, on a monthly basis and FREE. Call (512) 263-2885 to get started.
Veterans Day Video
IF you missed Lakeway’s Nov. 11 Veterans Day ceremony, watch the video here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1426/Veterans-Day-Ceremony
Mayor Kilgore’s Facebook Update
The mayor gave a live update on Nov. 17, just 10 minutes long. Go here to watch: https://www.facebook.com/cityoflakeway/videos/457807636270825
Transportation Bond PASSES
Approximately 10,196 Lakeway residents voted in the Nov. 8 election. Lakeway’s Prop A passed with 66.71% of the vote. Most of the bond funds will go toward culvert improvements, traffic lights, and resurfacing and depth repair for existing streets, but $4 million could be used to build out and add a bridge to Birrell Street (assuming Stratus fulfills its obligation to build Main Street through its tract behind HEB). https://communityimpact.com/austin/lake-travis-westlake/election/2022/11/08/lakeway-transportation-bond-for-improvements-new-road-passes/
Council Met on Nov. 7
All members were present on the dais. RESULTS:
ITEM 5: Officer pinning ceremony. Chief Koen introduced 2 NEW OFFICERS and 2 NEWLY PROMOTED OFFICERS to the city. Go here and watch the first few minutes of the proceedings to meet these officers: https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/189100
ITEM 6: Texas Special Olympics 2023 requests $200,000 from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund. APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY, with the proviso the applicant must correct its submission form to show funds to be used for advertising as state law allows for HOT funds.
ITEM 7: Lady Cavalier’s Holiday Basketball Tournament requests $56,000 from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund. POSTPONED until the Nov. 21 meeting, at the request of staff, so the submission form can be revised.
ITEM 8: Annexation of the section of Bee Creek Road from the Highlands Blvd. traffic circle to State Highway 71. APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
ITEM 10: Revising Code of Ethics as to gifts received by city employees, including police officers. After extensive and often heated discussion, the ordinance change suggested by Ethics Committee was APPROVED, by a vote of 4:3 (Kilgore, Vance and Kumar opposing), but with several material additions, changes and deletions. As to the most controversial issue on gift reporting and transparency, the city review committee was scrapped, as was employee reporting of gifts received. Instead, a charity giving more than $3,000 per year must file a report with the city, just listing the number of gifts and the total given (with no identifying or personal information on the recipient). In my view, Lakeway’s exemplary Code of Ethics was gutted by the vote of 4 Council members.
ITEM 11: Revising the penalty ordinance against night flying to comply with recent changes to the Aviation Code defining terms, as well as specifying a maximum fee of $500 per offense. Again, after heated discussion, this PASSED 4:3 (Trecker, Brynteson and Szimanski opposing).
NOTE: This is NOT a happy Council, nor—in my opinion–a well-functioning body. As they say, one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. Also, elections matter.
ADJOURNED: 10:43PM.
View the Agenda, Meeting Packet and/or Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
Go here to watch the Council meeting online: https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/189100
Council meets Monday, Nov. 21 at 6:00pm, at City Hall.
Topics include building more hangers at the airpark, a 2nd reading of the request that the city vacate and sell a lot in Cardinal Hills, paying Lakeway’s $3MIL share of right-of-way fees to expand 620, several special use permits, another Exec Session on filling the City Manager job, and more.
Consequential Agenda items include:
ITEM 11: Proclaiming Nov. 26 as Small Business Saturday.
ITEM 12: Financial Report.
ITEM 13: Citizens Participation (up to 30 minutes, with more time at end of meeting, if needed). [Behave, people, if only in appreciation of this item being returned to the front of the Agenda, after several ugly episodes got it banished to the end of the night.]
ITEM 15: Canvassing the election returns as to Proposition A/Lakeway Transportation Bond.
ITEM 16: Payment of $3,222,096.70 to TXDOT, being Lakeway’s previously agreed 10% share of costs associated with acquiring the right of way needed for the upcoming widening of Highway 620.
ITEM17: Special Use Permit for a Short Term Rental at 4 Casa Verde.
ITEM 18: Special Use Permit for a Short Term Rental at 105 Palos Verdes.
ITEM 19: Special Use Permit (term of 99 years) for Haythem Dawlett to build and operate 2 new hangers at the airpark.
ITEM 20: Special Use Permit (term of 30 years) for a liquor store at 2303 RR 620 South (Vista Ridge Shopping Center, by Randalls).
ITEM 21: Final Plat of Lakeway Highlands Phase 3 Section 7, in Rough Hollow.
ITEM 22: Second Reading (and vote on) a request that the City of Lakeway vacate an undeveloped portion of Sparrow Lane extending north of Dave Drive and abutting Lot 99 of Cardinal Hills Subdivision, Unit 4, then selling the land to the owner of Lot 99 (the land’s value being $55,221 per the lot owner but $96,510 per the city).
ITEM 26: Revising the ordinance as to storm sewers and illicit discharge of materials.
ITEM 27: Changing Council meetings BACK to 6:30PM start time. (Looking forward to the interesting story that must come with this one.)
ITEM 28: Additional Citizens Participation, if needed.
ITEM 29: Executive Session re: filling City Manager position.
View the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and/or Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
Go here to watch the Council meeting online (live or later): https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events
Daring Mighty Things
Success! Artemis 1 blasted off in the wee hours of Nov. 16. After 4 delays (2 technical, 2 due to hurricanes) in September and October, this much-anticipated launch was flawless. Artemis will reach the moon on Nov. 21, orbit it at various altitudes, and then head back home, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 11. The uncrewed flight is a massive test of current technology, including a dozen mannequins (NASA calls them Moonikins) on board equipped with sensors registering force, temperature, radiation and much more, to help NASA prepare for later flights carrying astronauts to the moon and beyond. This article details what the mission will include and when: https://www.space.com/artemis-1-moon-mission-next-steps?utm_campaign=58E4DE65-C57F-4CD3-9A5A-609994E2C5A9
The above image shows Artemis in space, an hour after launch, with Earth peering up from the lower right. Part of the space capsule, known as Orion, is shown in its own external camera view, specifically its Orbital Maneuvering System engine, auxiliary engines, and solar array. This shot was taken when the craft was 57,000 miles from Earth (about 20% of the way to the moon), while traveling at nearly 5,500 mph.
Before launch, Artemis 1 fed a LOT of people with a sweet tooth. This image shows a replica made of CAKE in the foreground, with the actual rocket in back. The cake version was 3’ tall, while the rocket assembly stood well over 300’ high.
Above is the Webb telescope’s new image of Wolf–Lundmark–Melotte, a dwarf galaxy positioned 3 million miles away from Earth. Aside from being so very pretty, the galaxy—located in the constellation of Cetus–is one of the most remote members of the local galaxy group that contains our galaxy. Being isolated and without interaction with other galaxies, WLM is perfect for the study of how stars evolve in smaller galaxies.
Divers off the coast of Florida filming a History Channel documentary on downed World War II aircraft discovered a huge sheet of wreckage from Challenger, the space shuttle that exploded shortly after launch in 1986, killing all 7 astronauts aboard. Partly buried in the sandy bottom, the debris measures well over 15’X15’ and is the largest remnant of the tragedy discovered in decades. Recovery measures are underway. https://www.space.com/space-shuttle-challenger-debris-found-history-channel?utm_campaign=58E4DE65-C57F-4CD3-9A5A-609994E2C5A9
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
Five states—California, Michigan, Vermont, Kentucky and Montana—had abortion-related propositions on the Nov. 8 ballot. In all five states, voters chose to protect a woman’s right to choose. Voters deliver ringing endorsement of abortion rights on midterm ballot initiatives across the US 11/9/22 https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/09/politics/abortion-rights-2022-midterms
On the other hand, the abortion pill that many women have turned to after being denied access to surgical abortion is now under attack by the right. Anti-abortion organizations sued HHS and the FDA (in a Texas court, of course) on Nov. 18, trying to reverse the FDA’s approval of the abortion medication mifepristone. The drug was approved 22 years ago. Anti-abortion groups seek to overturn FDA approval of abortion pill 11/18/22 https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/18/anti-abortion-groups-seek-to-overturn-fda-approval-of-abortion-pill-00069542
Back to me….
I’m both shocked and disgusted overall by the election results in Texas. Other states had both high turnout and sensible voting when the vital issues of abortion rights and election denial were on the ballot. Yet, Texas had LESS voter turnout—with notably few younger voters–than in the 2018 mid-terms. AND, by and large, the same tired and corrupt GOP hacks won yet again in Texas—despite our state leaders limiting voting rights AND stripping away the right to abortion here a full year before the Supreme Court did that to the rest of the country. Also—despite Beto O’Rourke providing the often demanded young and fresh political option. Maybe Texas is just a lost cause.
Also, I’m still unnerved by those couple hours last week when it looked like the US could well be at war with Russia. While that missile strike in Poland/NATO territory now seems to have been a tragic accident, so much remains on edge, with bad actors and simple human error always in the mix.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! It is officially time to stress out over the holidays…. Pet owners, remember to keep them safe during this hectic holiday. (The items listed below are dangerous to CATS, as well as to dogs.)
Also, KEEP YOUR PETS AND ANY VISITING PETS SAFE AND INDOORS. Coyotes are always in and around Lakeway, but there have been frequent sightings lately. That is common this time of year, when coyote pups are old enough to be out and about on their own. Cats and small dogs are easy prey for coyotes. City of Lakeway’s website has extensive wildlife info, including a coyote page with good info on keeping pets and people safe. https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1924/Coyotes
Local social media posts report several bucks being hit by cars in Lakeway recently. Rut season continues through December, with bucks chasing does, often across our roads. PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY, especially around dawn and dusk. Install deer whistles (under $10 at auto stores or from Amazon) on your vehicle. At night, use high beams. If you see ONE deer, look for MORE deer. SLOW DOWN.
Here are recent photos I took of our herd. For some reason, my close sightings lately were all does.
The Coronavirus
Worldwide, 12.96 billion shots have been given, with 65% of the planet’s population fully vaccinated.
This chart shows the vaccination types and rates for regions around the world.
China reacted to concern over its growing economic downturn by relaxing very slightly some of its long-term Covid restrictions. In an effort to ease international travel, people entering China will quarantine for 8 days instead of 10 days; testing is also reduced and penalties on airlines removed. Domestically, contact tracing has been limited, which should reduce the mass testing that previously led to millions of people abruptly held under government quarantine. However, “zero Covid” remains China’s official policy.
In the US, in the last 2 weeks, new cases and hospitalizations continued slowly rising, while deaths dropped. See the chart below for current stats. The national testing positivity rate rose slightly to 8.4%.
As for vaccinations in the US, 68.5% of the entire population is fully vaccinated.
Roughly half the country is seeing flat or dropping case numbers, with the other half showing a rise in cases. Generally, southwestern states have the highest rates. Experts expect the usual winter surge to hit in force soon after the traveling and gathering associated with Thanksgiving. This would be less of an issue if more people had gotten the new booster that protects against the current variants.
Cruise ships are STILL not safe. On Nov. 13, Carnival’s Majestic Princess docked in Sydney, Australia, with over 800 Covid-positive passengers.
As of mid-November, Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 made up 45% of cases in the country, up from about 33 percent one week previously.
While dominant variant BQ.1.1 has not turned out to cause cases any more severe than its predecessors, BQ.1.1 is resistant to monoclonal antibodies (Evusheld and Bebtlelovimab) that worked well against the other Omicron variants. That means we now lack preventive therapy for immunocompromised people, as well as backup therapy when Paxlovid isn’t successful.
Studies show the usual Covid symptoms remain—cough, loss of smell, sore throat, fever, exhaustion. But, some odd symptoms are being reported, as well. These include hair loss, body numbness or tingling, purple blisters on the feet, hairy tongue (actually, a fuzzy overgrowth of cells), and more.
While the chaos, uncertainty and stress caused by the pandemic aggravated mental health issues for pretty much everyone, it did so specifically for those infected by Covid-19. A large 2021 study found that over 50% of Americans with Covid reported symptoms of major depressive disorder after a coronavirus infection. Symptoms arose up to a year after diagnosis. Experts point out that Covid’s effects on the brain are myriad and not yet understood; patients can get depression, strokes, anxiety, memory disorders and sensory disorders, while some suffer no neurological or psychiatric conditions.
A large study done last spring by Veterans Affairs found that Paxlovid treatment reduced the incidence of Long Covid by 26%.
Covid funding is up to Congress. The Biden administration has asked Congress to approve $8 billion in funding to prepare for a domestic Covid-19 winter surge, plus $1 billion to aid the global vaccination effort. In addition, $4 billion would go toward developing next-generation vaccines and therapeutics through Project Warp Speed. Without an infusion of funds, it is unlikely the US will produce the two most coveted kinds of next-generation vaccines: nasal sprays that can block more infections, and universal coronavirus shots to defend against a wider array of ever-evolving variants.
U.S. special climate envoy John Kerry tested positive for Covid-19 on Nov. 18 while at the global climate talks in Egypt. He is fully vaccinated and boosted and experiencing mild symptoms; Mr. Kerry is self-isolating and meeting with others remotely to wrap up negotiations.
In Texas, in the last 2 weeks, new cases jumped by a whopping 57%, while hospitalizations and deaths rose somewhat. See the chart below for current stats. The positivity test rate rose to 7.1%
Only 62% of all Texas residents are fully vaccinated.
Recent Covid Articles I Recommend
The End of Vaccines at ‘Warp Speed’ 11/18/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/18/health/covid-nasal-vaccines-warp-speed.html
5 Unusual Covid Symptoms–and what to do about them 11/16/22 https://www.nytimes.com/article/unusual-covid-symptoms.html
As the Pandemic Drags On, Americans Struggle for New Balance 11/14/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/14/health/covid-attitudes-masks.html
Cruise ship with 800 Covid-positive passengers docks in Sydney 11/13/22 https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/13/australia/australia-covid-majestic-princess-cruise-passengers-intl-hnk
Covid Depression Is Real. Here’s What You Need to Know 11/12/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/12/well/long-covid-depression-symptoms-treatment.html
Masks Cut Covid Spread in Schools, Study Finds 11/10/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/10/health/covid-schools-masks.html
Covid Patients Coming Off Ventilators Can Take Weeks to Regain Consciousness 11/7/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/07/health/covid-patients-ventilators-consciousness.html
Nirmatrelvir and the Risk of Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 11/5/22 https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.11.03.22281783v1