May Ukraine Have Peaceful Skies Again.
Here is what is happening in Lakeway.
Early Voting Continues Through Nov. 1. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Plan to VOTE EARLY, through Nov. 1. There may be a short line, but the line on Election Day will be MUCH LONGER.
Lakeway’s closest voting location is the Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). The LAC polling place is open 7AM-7PM (noon-6PM on Sunday), EXCEPT that on the last 2 nights of Early Voting (Oct. 31 and Nov. 1) hours at LAC are extended until 10PM.
You can vote early at any polling location in Travis County. Area options are Lake Travis ISD Educational Development Center (607 Ranch Rd 620 N, at Kollmeyer) and Bee Cave City Hall (4000 Galleria Pkwy.) Their hours are 7AM-7PM (noon-6PM on Sunday).
On Election Day, hours everywhere are 7AM-7PM.
Info here: When does early voting start? Here’s where Travis County voters can cast their ballot https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/elections/state/2024/09/03/travis-county-early-voting-locations-dates-2024-presidential-election/74983464007/
There is MUCH more being decided than the Presidential race. League of Women Voters published a useful Guide. Printed versions are usually available at Lake Travis Community Library. For the online version, go here and scroll down to select English or Spanish: https://lwvaustin.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=334869&module_id=474680#gsc.tab=0
Butler/Rough Hollow Park Plan Update Meeting
On Monday, Oct. 28, 6PM, stop by the Butler/Rough Hollow Park Plan Update Meeting at the Highland Village Pavilion (901 Highlands Blvd., next to the Rough Hollow Lakeway Welcome Center). Get an update on plans plus a timeline for completion on this Rough Hollow park, which was funded by the 2024 Lakeway Parks Bond. More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1969
Pumpkin Parade at the Library!
On Thursday, Oct. 31, 10:30-11:30AM, bring the little ones in costume to Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing). They can parade around and collect treats from scary stations.
Mayor Kilgore’s Facebook Update
The mayor gave a 13-minute live update on Oct. 17. Go here to watch: https://www.facebook.com/cityoflakeway/videos/3431093103853874
Teen Art Contest—Entry Deadline is Nov. 1.
Lake Travis Community Library is sponsoring an art contest for students in grades 6 through 12. Just create an original piece of art inspired by your personal reading experience. Friends of the Library will provide cash prizes, and a selection of entries will be displayed in the library’s meeting room in December. Entry deadline is Nov 1. Go here for the rules and entry form: https://laketravislibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-Teen-Art-Contest-Brochure.pdf
Texas Arbor Day Tree Planting Event
CANCELLED on Oct. 30, due to anticipated rainy weather.
Sign up now to participate on Sat., Nov. 2, at 10AM in Lakeway’s second time being part of Tree City USA. Residents will work with Parks and Rec Dept. to plant trees in Lakeway. Location for planting will be announced soon! Everyone gets a free lunch, but the first 30 folks to sign up will also get a tree to take home and plant. Get more info and sign up here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2079/Texas-Arbor-Day
Lane Closures—Lohmans Spur
Utility work needs to be done related to the future extension of Lohmans Spur into the new City Center development area. As a result, the right northbound lane of Lohmans Spur, on BOTH sides of Lohmans Crossing, is closed starting Oct. 7 and continuing for several weeks. Expect delays at the Lohmans Crossing light near the Police Station.
Library closed Nov. 4-10.
Lake Travis Community Library will be closed for a week, Nov. 4-10, in order to prepare for the opening of West (the new branch on 71), including moving items in the collection and training new staff. However, Bookmobile service will continue as normal. (All due dates will be extended until the Lakeway location reopens and reserves will be held for an extra week.) More info here: https://laketravislibrary.org/library-closure-faqs/
Lake Travis Democrats Club
—Watch Party: On Nov. 5 starting at 7PM, cheer on Harris/Walz by joining LTDems and Voices for Progress at a local Watch Party. Location is Meridian 98, in the Sonesta Hotel (12525 Bee Cave Pkwy, Bee Cave, TX 78738).
–Monthly meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 6:30PM at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). Speaker is Bruce Elfant, Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar.
–Check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for club activities each month.
TexArts Productions
TexArts has holiday and winter productions scheduled, all presented at its NEW theater located in the heart of Lakeway at 1110 Ranch Road 620 South. Go here for details and to buy tickets: https://www.tex-arts.org/upcoming-productions
- Nov. 2-Nov. 9: Roald Dalh’s Willy Wonka JR
- Nov. 22-Dec. 15: Elf–The Musical
- Feb. 14-March 2: Tick, Tick … Boom!
Need a RIDE? Want to VOLUNTEER to drive seniors?
Chariot is a FREE service providing rides (for medical appointments and grocery shopping) to non-driving folks age 60 and over. Chariot has been operating across Central Texas (including Lakeway!) since 1988. Riders must be mobile to use the service; wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Mission statement: “Chariot enriches lives and communities by providing transportation and socialization to non-driving seniors, helping them to age in place.” Volunteer drivers, who must be over 21 with a high school diploma or higher plus a valid driver’s license, are critical to Chariot’s success and use their own vehicles. Click this link or call 512-445-5552 for info and to either set up a ride or volunteer as a driver: https://chariot.org/
Veterans Day Observance
Join the Lakeway community on Monday, Nov. 11, at 11AM, at the Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) to honor our military veterans. Check here for more details as the date nears: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2142/Veterans-Day
Council met on Oct. 21.
- RESULTS: All members attended the meeting, all in person.
- ITEM 14: Financial Report–The fiscal year ended with accounts $420,000 to the good.
- ITEM 15: Citizens Participation for Items NOT on the Agenda–1 person spoke.
- ITEM 16: Staff Report on Cell Tower site feasibility on City properties –Report’s conclusion: Staff’s investigation confirmed a legitimate need for improved cell service in western Lakeway. The proposed site by KGI Wireless is likely the best option, as no other city-owned properties are suitable for achieving the same level of coverage. The alternative site suggested by local developers is less effective, though staff lacks the technical expertise to definitively compare its advantages. NO ACTION NEEDED. (See next item.)
- ITEM 17: Special Use Permit approving a Cell Tower at 3303 Serene Hills Drive–After lengthy public comment (100% against this item), an executive session to confer with legal counsel, and some dais discussion, it became clear that a majority of members (Sherman, Vance, Byrnteson and Szimanski) were NOT in favor of this. Sherman moved to deny the SUP. After discussion, that changed to a motion that the city, as the land owner and the party on whose behalf KGI was acting, withdraw the request for an SUP to build a cell tower at 3303 Serene Hills Drive; that MOTION PASSED 6/1 (Forton voted against). Here is a very interesting slide from KGI’s presentation, particularly as to the monetary value of the SUP to the city ($600,000-700,000 over 25 years):
- ITEM 18: Special Use Permit approving a Dairy Queen with a drive-through window on 0.8337 acres at 219 RR 620 South–UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
- ITEM 20: Charter Review Committee Report. [The draft changes in the meeting packet include some extreme items.] –Committee Chair briefly reviewed the 17 items brought to Council for consideration as changes to Lakeway’s Charter (requiring voter approval, likely on the May, 2025 ballot). NO ACTION TAKEN, other than directing that a JOINT WORK SESSION of Council and Charter Review Committee be held in November or December, for detailed review and discussion. [Two of the items were voted down by residents last time. Several items were suggested by staff as procedural clean up measures. Other items would make substantive changes to how the city operates, particularly as to volunteers and committee appointments, as to the Ethics Committee, as to our elections, and as to the power distribution among Mayor, City Manager and Council. Those interested—especially currently serving committee members–should check the Meeting Packet, read through the Report and red-lined ordinances for Item 20, and be ready to submit comments prior to the upcoming Work Session.]
- ITEMS 21 and 22: Preliminary Plan and Final Plat approval for Tuscan Village Section 2, being 7.04 acres at 1935 Lohman Crossing–Both Items were UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
- ITEM 23: Council Legislative Subcommittee–Kilgore, Brynteson and Szimanski volunteered to serve on a Council Legislative Subcommittee, which was UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
- ITEM 24: Assessment of recent noise ordinance change allowing golf course maintenance 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily May 1st through September 30th–Staff reported the change seemed to work well over the summer. The Golf Course Manager demanded Council make the early start time effective year-round; staff was instructed to put this matter on the November Agenda, for Council’s consideration. [Yet again.]
- ITEM 25: Ordinance change to eliminate the golf course building setback for fences (to allow fences to be placed on the property line)–UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
- ITEMS 26-28: Executive Sessions for: Real Property/Rebel Park and Sailfish Park, West Austin Business Park, and Personnel Matters/City Manager–NO ACTION TAKEN on Rebel Park and Sailfish Park. NO ACTION TAKEN on West Austin Business Park. As to City Manager, it was UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED to approve his performance evaluation, have Council Member O’Brien and Mayor Kilgore conduct a review with him, and award him a 5% salary increase effective Oct. 1.
- ADJOURNED at 11:53PM.
- 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/318239
Daring Mighty Things
The above image was taken on Oct. 12, showing Comet Tsuchinshan over the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. (Image credit: Brennan Gilmore.) https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap241014.html
The above image shows the Helix Nebula, a dying star just 700 light years from Earth. (Image credit: Patrick Winkler.) https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap241024.html
On Oct. 13, SpaceX had a crucial first with Starship’s 5th test flight, which was uncrewed. Everything worked as planned. 1–-The gigantic ship launched out of South Texas without a glitch. 2–Just 7 minutes later, the booster section (known as Super Heavy) returned to its launch mount, caught by the “chopstick” arms of the launch tower. 3—An hour after launch, the ship itself splashed down in the Indian Ocean. (The above image shows the catch; image credit: Sergio Flores/AFP via Getty Images.) NASA selected the partially reusable craft as the first crewed lander for its Artemis moon program, now scheduled for launch in September of 2026. SpaceX catches giant Starship booster with ‘Chopsticks’ on historic Flight 5 rocket launch and landing 10/13/24 https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-flight-5-launch-super-heavy-booster-catch-success-video
On Oct. 14, NASA’s Europa Clipper launched from Florida via SpaceX, headed for Jupiter’s moon, Europa. (Image credit: NASA TV.) The astrobiology mission will study the ocean hidden under the moon’s icy crust. The probe should reach Europa in April of 2030. SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launches NASA’s Europa Clipper probe to explore icy Jupiter ocean moon 10/14/24 https://www.space.com/spacex-falcon-heavy-europa-clipper-launch
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
Abortion is the TOP single issue in the upcoming election, inspiring women to register and vote for Kamala Harris and driving conservative women to dump Trump. That dynamic is obvious in Arizona, where an abortion ban is on the ballot in November. One-third of AZ Republicans support a constitutional amendment establishing abortion as a fundamental right. The New York Times recently interviewed Republican women in Phoenix who are splitting from the GOP over abortion. Watch the 4-minute video here: They Were Loyal Republicans — Until Trump and Abortion Bans 10/11/24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OCINcjv584
Kansas, Idaho and Missouri have started another round of legal attacks on the abortion medication mifepristone. Last week, officials filed requests to require that mifepristone be dispensed in person instead of by mail, as well as bar the drug’s use after 7 weeks of pregnancy instead of 10 weeks. Also, they want to require 3 prior in-person doctor office visits; now, no in-person visits are required. All of this would to make it hard or even impossible to get mifepristone, now used in most abortions nationally. The states are suing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in a federal court in Texas, where the US Supreme Court returned the case last June. Then, SCOTUS ruled that anti-abortion doctors and related groups lacked legal standing to sue and maintained some federal changes that eased access to the medication. Now, Kansas, Idaho and Missouri argue they have legal standing because the pills “undermine state abortion laws and frustrate state law enforcement.” 3 states renew their effort to reduce access to the abortion drug mifepristone 10/16/24 https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-mifespristone-state-lawsuit-f03bfe0d9b9fc04e4c8b01a1c6d16851
In Florida, a federal judge ruled last week in favor of local TV stations, after the state tried to suppress a pro-abortion rights television ad. To be sure Florida got the message, the judge ruled: “To keep it simple for the State of Florida: it’s the First Amendment, stupid.” The TV ad was created by Floridians Protecting Freedom, which is behind the “Yes on 4 Campaign” promoting a ballot measure seeking to overturn Florida’s six-week abortion ban and enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. State officials acting on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ orders threatened to bring criminal charges against broadcasters airing the ad, saying its claims endanger public health. The judge held that Florida’s threats were “viewpoint discrimination” and wrote that the abortion group presented “a substantial likelihood of proving an ongoing violation of its First Amendment rights through the threatened direct penalization of its political speech.” It’s the First Amendment, stupid: Federal judge blasts DeSantis administration for threats against TV stations 10/17/24 https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/17/media/florida-judge-tv-abortion-rights-ad-health/index.html
The number of abortions increased from 2020 to the end of 2023, despite the fall of Roe v. Wade and immediate abortion bans being enacted in many states. In the 13 states with abortion bans, women traveled to states allowing abortion or obtained abortion pills online. The only states with bans where abortions DROPPED were Texas, Idaho, and Oklahoma. Nationwide, in 2024 abortions have continued to rise 12% over the 2023 rate. (Image credits: NY Times.) Abortions Have Increased, Even for Women in States With Rigid Bans, Study Says 10/22/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/22/upshot/abortions-rising-state-bans.html
Back to me….
I’m a poll worker for Early Voting, and I will also work Election Day. This is the 4th election we have had in 2024, and I worked the others, too. But, this election is different in many ways. Due to the presidential race, turnout this time is VERY high, including many people who don’t vote very often and aren’t familiar with the process. Plus, with the polarized nature of national politics and the high stakes involved this time, everyone is on edge. Still, voters are amazingly patient and pleasant, making the long hours well worth it; the tiny number of people who are otherwise really can’t spoil that. Here are 5 tips:
- VOTE EARLY (through Nov. 1). Election Day will have long lines.
- State law prohibits electioneering at the polling place, including voters wearing apparel with a political message.
- Voters with mobility issues do NOT need to wait in line. Come directly inside, and you will vote right away. (For those who need it, curbside voting is available at LAC.)
- If you received a mail-in ballot but prefer to vote in person, BRING THE MAIL-IN BALLOT with you to the voting site.
- Your paper ballot is NOT a souvenir to take with you. The ballot MUST be fed into the ballot counter before you leave the polling place, in order for your vote to be counted.
The National Zoo in DC has pandas again! The new pair, Bao Li and Qing Bao, arrived this month, on loan from China. They are in quarantine and will be ready to greet the public in January. Meet the Pandas https://nationalzoo.si.edu/dcpandas
Rut season has started. I haven’t yet seen the chasing and aggression of rut, but it happens every year, late fall into winter. Here are recent photos I took in Old Lakeway.
Coronavirus Update
Great news–Covid-19 continues its downward slide. All 4 indicators (test positivity, ER visits, hospitalizations and deaths) continued to fall as of Oct. 19. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
As of Oct. 19, national wastewater viral testing remains LOW (and Texas as a state tested MINIMAL). https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/index.html
This fall’s edition of the Covid-19 vaccine is available in local pharmacies.
Have you gotten the UPDATED Covid-19 shot? I got mine in early October. If you want to be protected this winter, start here: https://www.heb.com/pharmacy/vaccinations This new vaccine was formulated to work against recent variants, so everyone is urged to get vaccinated. Consider getting it along with your annual flu shot. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for the best timing, if you recently had Covid or recently got vaccinated. New COVID, flu vaccines arrive in Austin 8/31/24 https://www.statesman.com/story/news/healthcare/2024/08/28/covid-flu-vaccine-2024-near-me-austin-texas-tips-pharmacy-doctors-office/74965044007/