May Ukraine Have Peaceful Skies Again.
Sorry this blog is posting a day late. At the last minute, I was called in to work the polls on Election Day—so that took up 15 hours yesterday. Happily, we had FABULOUS results. Speaking of which….
If you just want a summary—For Council, we kicked Chris Levy to the curb despite his huge money dump, endless avalanche of signs, and exceptionally dirty campaign strategies. We passed the Parks bond. TCAD got 3 excellent Board members. Our schools won a milestone victory, keeping 2 quality incumbents on the LTISD Board and rejecting PAC-funded challengers with dubious qualifications. All this makes me hopeful that people are finally waking up, doing their own research, and voting for qualified people instead of letting money and agenda-ridden social media influencers determine their votes. In fact, ALL of my vote choices WON in this election. Well done!
Here are the result details, all from Travis County Elections, with all vote centers reporting: https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/TX/Travis/120748/web.317647/#/summary
Here is what is happening in Lakeway….
Saturday Night Concerts at The Galleria
FREE weekly concerts through May 11, every Saturday, 7-9PM, on the Central Plaza Lawn of the Hill Country Galleria. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to get comfy. Performance schedule is here: https://www.hillcountrygalleria.com/event/saturday-night-concert-series/2145580934
Art at the Library
During May, local artist Sherri Lipman McCauley exhibits her fiber artwork (quilts, collage, and surface design) in the meeting room of Lake Travis Community Library.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Top section of Lakeway Drive CLOSED, now through July.
Culvert replacement started on April 9, with Lakeway Drive CLOSED from Lakeway Boulevard to Cross Creek. Through traffic will need to use Cross Creek and Lohmans instead. This is part of the recent Transportation Bond, improving Lakeway’s roads. The project will likely be in progress to July.
Fox on the Fairway
The Lakeway Players will present “The Fox on the Fairway,” on May 9-11. Doors open at 6:30PM; curtain rises at 7:30PM. The Spring Show is, as usual, BYO Dinner Theater. The production is billed as a hilarious romp about life, love and golf. Tickets are $20-$33. Go here for info and tickets: https://www.thelakewayplayers.com/
Puzzle Exchange
On May 11, 10:30-11:30AM, exchange jigsaw puzzles with other puzzle fans at Lake Travis Community Library. Items must be in good shape with all pieces.
Inside Austin Gardens Tour
On Saturday, May 11th, from 9AM-3PM, the Travis County Master Gardeners are hosting their Inside Austin Gardens Tour. You can peek inside 4 unique private gardens, designed and maintained by fellow gardening enthusiasts, combining sustainable practices for Central Texas with a focus on beautiful native plants: The Suburban Farm; The Woodland Escape; The Elevated Garden; and The Work-In-Progress. Go here for more info and tickets: https://insideaustingardens.org/
SORRY, the Heritage Trail bus tours have been CANCELLED. Fall bus tours should be scheduled soon.
Heritage Trail Bus Tours
Spring tours are scheduled! Grab a reservation fast, as these always fill up. Bus tours visit 20 historical locations, with narration by a member of the Lakeway Heritage Committee. Tour day is Friday, May 17. Times: 9:15 AM, 11:15 AM and 1:15 PM. Board at Lakeway City Hall (1102 Lohmans Crossing), where you can also visit the historic Liebelt Cabin. Go here for info and to reserve your seat: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1171/Heritage-Trail
Blood Drive
The next blood drive at Lakeway Activity Center is on Saturday, May 18. The event is always well organized, clean and friendly. You will be done and out the door in under 30 minutes. It is an important cause and helps countless people. Plus—FREE JUICE AND COOKIES! While walk-ins are welcome, those with appointments have priority. You can see upcoming dates and make an appointment to donate by entering your zip code here– https://weareblood.org/donor/schedule/
Classical Chamber Music
On Sunday, May 19, 4-5:30PM at Lakeway Activity Center, enjoy a FREE concert. Musicians include: Violin, Sari Pearce; Cello, Andrew Pearce; and Piano, Rick Rowley. More info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/1862/Sunday-Afternoon-Concert-Series
Lake Travis Democrats Club
–May 19: Picnic in the Park, 2-4PM at City Park’s Upper Pavilion (502 Hurst Creek Road). This annual event features picnic food, beer and wine, speakers, guests including elected officials, raffle drawings, and musical entertainment.
–May 28: Banned Book Club, 6:30PM at Lake Travis Community Library. The book isSOLD by Patricia McCormick., which was one of the top 10 banned books in 2023.
–June 6: The Voucher Scam Live, 6:30PM at the Lakeway Activity Center. This interactive, one-hour presentation covers a critical issue facing public education today–education vouchers.
Check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for details and activities each month.
Community Dialogue: Defining Vision and Goals for the Lakeway Comprehensive Plan Update
Stop by City Hall (1102 Lohmans Crossing Rd.) on May 21, 6PM, for an introductory meeting regarding Lakeway’s Comprehensive Plan. The City of Lakeway is holding its first Community Dialogue: Defining Vision and Goals. A presentation will be followed by an interactive open house. Review project boards, provide input, and pose questions to staff and the consultant team. Go here for full info: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1547/Comprehensive-Plan
Lakeway Quarter Century Luncheon—registration deadline is May 17.
Those residing in Lakeway 25 years or more are invited to a special luncheon on May 31, 11AM-1PM, at the Lakeway Activity Center. Celebrate and nurture connections with other long-time residents. Free, but reservations are required; deadline to register is May 17. Go here for info and to reserve your seat: https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTI5OTE5MjA=
Anything Goes at TexArts
June 7-30, TexArts presents Anything Goes. Go here for info and to buy tickets: https://www.tex-arts.org/
Kid Camps this Summer—at Lakeway Activity Center.
Sign up NOW, as camps fill up fast. Go Here and click on the Youth Camps tab: www.lakeway-tx.gov/catalog
July 4 Parade—REGISTER now to participate or volunteer.
Register to participate in this year’s parade, held on Thursday, July 4. The theme is Symbols of Freedom. Go here for info and to register your float/performance OR to help as a volunteer: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/718/July-4th-Celebration
Artist Registration Open for Cool Arts.
This year’s Cool Arts Show and Studio Tour is on Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 24-25, at Lakeway Activity Center and local studios. Go here for info and to register: https://lakeway-tx.gov/1858/Cool-Arts-Show-Studio-Tour
Council next meets on May 20.
Recently elected members will be sworn in (hopefully not sworn AT), and long-time member Louis Mastrangelo will exit the dais (due to the term limit of 6 consecutive years, per the City Charter.) About a week prior, check here for the Agenda: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
Daring Mighty Things
On May 6, Boeing’s new spaceship, Starliner, is scheduled for its first-ever crewed launch. (Image credit: ULA via YouTube.) Starliner will deliver 2 astronauts to the International Space Station for a 10-day visit, finally coming online to operate alongside SpaceX as NASA’s commuter service. Watch the cool 3-minute video showing the assembly and stacking of the Atlas V rocket, mating it with the Starliner spacecraft, rolling the stack to SLC-41, and more. Watch ULA assemble Atlas V rocket ahead of Boeing Starliner astronaut test flight 5/2/24 https://www.space.com/ula-starliner-cft-atlas-v-stacking-video
The Ring Nebula is about 2,500 light-years away from Earth and measures roughly 1 light-year across. The image of it shown above was made by combining views from 3 different telescopes. (Image Credit: Hubble, Large Binocular Telescope, Subaru Telescope; Composition and Copyright: Robert Gendler.) Check out this government site to see daily space-related images, with understandable explanations: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
The new James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) captured sharp images of the Horsehead Nebula, revealing never seen details. (Image credit: ESA/Webb, NASA, CSA, K. Misselt–University of Arizona–and A. Aberge–IAS/University Paris-Saclay, CNRS.) This much-studied star-forming region is located 1,300 light-years from Earth. Watch a 1-minute video here: Horsehead Nebula rears its head in gorgeous new James Webb Space Telescope images 4/29/24 https://www.space.com/james-webb-space-telescope-horsehead-nebula
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
As of May 1, 21 states ban abortion or restrict it more stringently than the US did for nearly 50 years under Roe. The above image shows abortion availability nationwide, with AZ and FL updated per recent events. As shown, women living in the South 1) with an unwanted pregnancy OR 2) suffering pregnancy complications requiring termination are in dire straits. Tracking Abortion Bans Across the Country 5/1/24 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/us/abortion-laws-roe-v-wade.html
In Texas (it is ALWAYS Texas, for the deeply crazy stuff), a man recently filed a legal action to investigate his former partner’s out-of-state abortion. This was after his attorney threatened legal action (“wrongful-death claims against anyone involved in the killing of his unborn child”) when the woman first discussed going to Colorado for a legal abortion. Now, Colin Davis has disclosed his former partner’s abortion to a state district court in Texas, asking for the power to investigate what he terms potentially illegal activity. The petition claims Davis could sue either under the state’s wrongful-death statute or the Texas vigilante law allowing private citizens to file suit against anyone who “aids or abets” an illegal abortion. Targeting an abortion legally occurring outside Texas is a new strategy by antiabortion activists to achieve the goal of stopping women from traveling out of state to end their pregnancies. Interstate travel has always been sacrosanct in America, and crossing state lines for abortion care remains legal nationwide. Several Texas cities and counties have passed local ordinances attempting to stop women seeking abortions from using highways passing through their jurisdiction. Davis’ attorney also represents another Texas man suing several women for helping his ex-wife obtain abortion pills. Texas man files legal action to probe ex-partner’s out-of-state abortion 5/3/24 https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2024/05/03/texas-abortion-investigations/
Since Dobbs, Alabama bans abortion, even for rape and incest. Alabama is now moving to ban women from LEAVING THE STATE for reproductive care. Other Republican-controlled state legislatures are heading down that path. (See above, as to Texas.) Watch the chilling 30-second ad highlighting the issue here. California Governor Newsom launches abortion travel ban ad campaign in Alabama 4/22/24 https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/newsom-launches-alabama-ad-campaign-focused-on-abortion-travel-bans/
Arizona has time-travelled back to the present, with its legislature finally voting to repeal the 1864 abortion ban that its ultra-right state supreme court revived last month. Last week, 2 Republican lawmakers joined with all the Democrats to kill the old law for good. Unfortunately, the state constitution delays the law’s effective date until 90 days after the legislative session ends—likely next fall, unless Republicans keep the session open. Until then, Arizona’s abortion ban is total. Once the antique law’s repeal takes effect, the state would revert to a 15-week ban passed in 2022, with exceptions for medical emergencies but not for rape or incest. Pro-choice groups are trying to get a constitutional amendment on the November ballot allowing Arizona voters to decide the abortion rights issue. Arizona Senate passes repeal of 1864 abortion ban 5/1/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/arizona-senate-repeal-abortion-ban-rcna150024
On April 24, SCOTUS heard oral arguments in ANOTHER abortion case, Moyle v. US. This one covers EMTALA (the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act), which requires federally funded hospitals to give patients, including pregnant ones, stabilizing care. The case deals with that federal law’s conflict with the many state laws now restricting abortion, like in Texas and Idaho. Justice Barrett was the only conservative justice at all concerned with the woman’s health, while her male cohorts went down the fetal personhood path. A ruling is expected early summer. US supreme court appears divided after hearing arguments on emergency abortion care 4/24/24 https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/apr/24/us-supreme-court-abortion-rights-emtala Listen to the case’s oral argument here: https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2023/23-726
Back to me….
Being a poll worker for Early Voting’s 9 days is a big commitment but always worth it. The choice of morning or afternoon shifts really helps, making the hours doable. As usual, the best part was seeing Lakeway pals again for the first time in ages. On the other hand, working Election Day is a brutal slog lasting up to 15 hours, with inevitable crises and a frequently frantic pace. But, when there aren’t enough people willing to work, I do it; as usual, there was a great team working well together. The best part of the May 4 Election Day was learning the SUPER results as soon as I got home. Well done, Lakeway!
Maxie update: My sweet girl got a good report at her vet check-up. Meds have her blood pressure back to normal, her breathing is much better, and her appetite is back. Now, we are waiting on a heart consult end of May.
Our fawns are here! I haven’t seen any yet, but I have heard multiple reports of sightings in Lakeway. DRIVE CAREFULLY, as they are so tiny, fragile, and clueless about roads.
Working Early Voting’s morning shift kept me away from my usual morning walks, so I haven’t seen many deer lately AT ALL. So, enjoy some squirrel photos I took recently
Coronavirus Update
Much like last time, as of April 27, the CDC’s Data Tracker shows the various Covid-19 indicators (test positivity, ER visits, hospitalizations and deaths) leveling off, after trending down over the last couple months. Concern remains this may be an early warning of a new Covid wave on the way. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
REMINDER— Over 95% of adults hospitalized in 2023-2024 due to COVID-19 had not gotten the latest vaccine. So, if you never got the updated Covid booster, get it now. Those age 65 and older should get ANOTHER dose of the updated vaccination this spring (if 4 or more months have gone by). Shots are available at local pharmacies.
If you catch Covid, consider taking Paxlovid. It prevents severe illness and death in people at high risk; studies show it is effective in nearly 75% of cases. And “high risk” covers most American adults, including those with depression, obesity, asthma or a history of smoking. Anyone age 50 or older should take Paxlovid, regardless of health status. Lots more good info in this article: I Have Covid. Should I Take Paxlovid? 1/11/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/11/well/covid-paxlovid-treatment.html