Be brave like Ukraine.
During April, Lakeway’s LOCAL ELECTION SEASON, my blog splits into TWO ISSUES. Today’s blog is the usual version–Lakeway’s upcoming events, space news and images, women’s rights updates, deer photos, etc. Tomorrow, April 21, I’ll post the ELECTION ISSUE, covering everything you will see on your ballot—Lakeway Council, $22MIL Parks Bond, Lake Travis ISD Board, and Travis Central Appraisal District Board. After that, the election is over and things go back to NORMAL, with just ONE blog every other Saturday.
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
ArtWalk
!!!WEATHER PERMITTING!!! Join in on the first Lakeway Art Walk–featuring local art, crafts, music, performing arts, food, and more–over the weekend of April 19-21. Activities happen at the Activity Center, Hamilton Greenbelt, Hurst Creek Sculpture Garden, and various art studios around Lakeway. Go here for a full schedule of activities over the 3 days: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2129/ArtWalk
Beautify Lakeway for EARTH DAY
Volunteer to plant flowers at the Lakeway Swim Center, on Monday, April 22, 11AM. Everything you need will be provided, plus snacks. Go here for full info and to register: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1838/Earth-Day
Enchanted Forest
Through April 29, dawn to dark, stroll along the decorated trail behind City Hall and enjoy magical lights, ethereal abodes, charming creatures, and fun surprises all along the way. Many features light up at dusk for a magical evening stroll. Free parking at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) and Lakeway City Hall (1102 Lohman’s Crossing). https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1816/Enchanted-Forest-Walk
Lake Travis Democrats Club
–April 23, 6:30PM: Banned Book Club, at Lake Travis Community Library. Book: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Critically acclaimed, this novel is said to be the most frequently challenged book from 2010 to 2019, due to depictions of alcohol, poverty, bullying, violence, sexuality and bulimia.
–May 19: Picnic in the Park. Details to come.
Check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for details and activities each month
TRAFFIC ALERT: Top section of Lakeway Drive CLOSED, now through July.
Culvert replacement will take place started on April 9, with Lakeway Drive CLOSED between Cross Creek and Lakeway Boulevard. 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 through July.
Mayor Kilgore’s Facebook Update
Our excellent mayor gave a 12-minute live update on April 11. Go here to watch: https://www.facebook.com/cityoflakeway/videos/272505245948239
Become a Democratic Precinct Chair!
If you can spare a few hours per month, you can really make a difference in 2024—a HUGE election year! The Travis County Democratic Party will train you, and you will have a support system from local precinct chairs in our Super Precinct. There are 6 local precincts that need a chair:
- 293 (Bee Cave).
- 364 (Falconhead West, Majestic Hills, Serene Hills, Fox Creek Estates, La Capana goes over to LTHS).
- 365 (North side of Hwy 71 near Lake Travis Middle School includes Bee creek Vistas, Bowden, Travis Settlement, Crosswind).
- 370 (Buffalo Gap west of 620 and East side of 620 including Cardinal Hills Estates, Apache Shores, Yacht Harbor).
- 371 (North Lakeway 620 near Randall’s The Vistas of Lakeway, Travis Oak Trails, Cardinal Hills, Arbolago. Borders Kollmeyer).
- 374 (North Lakeway, Hurst Creek Road area).
If you live in one of the above areas, contact Carrie Jones at P362@traviscountydemocrats.org to learn more.
May 4 Star Wars movie — Solo: a STAR WARS Story
On Saturday, May 4, catch Solo: a STAR WARS Story, at City Park (502 Hurst Creek Road). Event opens at 5:30, and film rolls at 6PM. Bring blankets and chairs to relax on the grass, and enjoy pizza and refreshments outdoors on the lower level, near the playscape. Dress like your favorite Star Wars character and enter the contest for prizes. https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1974/Star-Wars-Movie
Cinco de Mayo
On Sunday, May 5, 1-3PM, celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the Lakeway Activity Center. Enjoy free food (for the 1st 100 attendees), a mocktail margarita machine (suitable for all ages), a live Mariachi Band, authentic Mexican dancing, and fun contests with prizes. https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2118/Cinco-de-Mayo
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/
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/
Heritage Trail Bus Tours
Spring tours are scheduled! Grab a reservation fast, as these always fill up. Bus tours visit 20 historical locations, narrated 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 at LAC
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, 4-5PM at Lakeway Activity Center, enjoy a FREE concert with repertoire from Schubert and Dvorak. Then, stay for the reception 5-6PM. Musicians include: Violins–Sandy Yamamoto and Sari Pearce; Viola–Nick Hammel; Cello–Andrew Pearce; and Piano–Colette Valentine.
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
Spirit of Freedom Monument
Lakeway Veterans who served in official periods of armed conflict like the Vietnam War or Gulf War can have their names included on the Spirit of Freedom Monument located in Lakeway Heritage Park. Applications are now being accepted for additions to the monument for recognition on Veterans Day in 2024. Deadline to apply is July 5, 2024. The fee ranges from $325-$425. Call 512-314-7530 or go here for info and a link to the application: https://lakeway-tx.gov/97/Heritage-Center-Park
Council met on April 15.
All 7 members attended the meeting, all in person. RESULTS:
ITEM 20: New Motor Officer Wesley Wilson was pinned and introduced to residents.
ITEM 21: Citizens Participation for Items NOT On the Agenda—no one spoke.
ITEM 22: Financial Report showed a net positive of roughly $900,000 on hand, half-way through the fiscal year.
ITEM 23: The Annual Audit Report from Singleton, Clark and Company was clean and unmodified.
ITEMS 24 and 25: Changing the Future Land Use Map designation from Commercial to Residential AND changing zoning from Commercial to Planned Unit Development, all as to a proposed residential development of 48 units on 5.36 acres located at 300 Birrell Street. [Since ZAPCO recommended denial of these changes, Council would need a super majority vote (3/4 of all members, being 6 out of 7) in favor, to approve the development.]
–Extensive discussion revealed Council had largely positive views of the proposal, except for the de At applicant’s request for more time to meet this requirement, Council agreed to postpone decision until the June meeting.
ITEM 26: Request for a Special Use Permit in order to operate a massage business for 10 years, at 900 RR 620S (Lakeway Commons Shopping Center).
–UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
ITEM 28: Accepting Lakeway Police Foundation’s donation for refurbishing the Police Department’s gym and for victim services.
–$20,348 was donated by the Lakeway Police Foundation.
ITEM 29: Hotel Occupancy Tax Review and Strategic Plan Presentation.
–After reviewing and discussing the limited options under state law for using the $8,600,000 the city now holds in HOT funds, Council asked staff to pursue seeking a legislative carve-out during the 2025 session that would open up more appealing possibilities.
ITEM 30: Transportation Bond Update.
–Staff indicated the bond money is now being used for items including culvert improvements, road resurfacing and traffic signals.
ITEM 31: Discussion Regarding Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees. [NOTE: YET AGAIN. At least this time, the heading makes it clear this regards ALL committees and ALL volunteers now serving on them.]
–It was proposed that staff survey area towns and prepare a draft ordinance changing Lakeway’s appointment process from what our Charter provides to some version of what our neighbors are doing; the point seemed to be having a draft ordinance handy for Council to use in case Charter Review Committee decided NOT to change the current appointment process OR did suggest changes but voters rejected them. After considerable discussion, Council APPROVED 6:1 (Kilgore) simply passing the matter on to the now-operating Charter Review Committee.
ITEM 32: Discuss Appointments to the Planned Unit Development Committee.
–After discussion, the consensus was for staff to draft an ordinance adding Council’s ZAPCO Liaison and a ZAPCO Commissioner to the PUD Review Committee.
ADJOURNED at 10:47PM.
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/302701
Daring Mighty Things
Boeing’s first crewed Starliner spacecraft is on track to launch May 9 (or thereabouts). It will (finally) join SpaceX as a private company shuttle service for astronauts commuting between Earth and the International Space Station. (Image credit: Gregg Newton/AFP via Getty Images.) Boeing Starliner spacecraft rolls out to Atlas V rocket ahead of 1st astronaut launch 4/16/24 https://www.space.com/boeing-starliner-spacecraft-rollout-integration-rocket-astronaut-spaceflight
Musk’s Starship is the largest rocket ship ever, but now he says it isn’t tall enough. (Image credit: SpaceX via X.) The final version needs to be 500 feet tall, a full 20% taller than it is now, to reach Mars as part of NASA’s Artemis mission. Men and their rockets…. SpaceX’s giant Starship will be 500 feet tall for Mars missions, Elon Musk says 4/13/24 https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-500-feet-tall-mars-missions-elon-musk
Meet SpaceHopper, a 3-legged robot built to jump around on moons and asteroids. (Image credit: Dominik Lindegger.) Its triangular body has an articulated leg (with a knee and a hip joint) at each corner, so the little guy can push off, kick to propel itself through space, and stick the landing. It is designed to function in little to no gravity. This little robot can hop in zero-gravity to explore asteroids 4/14/24 https://www.space.com/spacehopper-robot-explore-asteroids-zero-gravity
Ginny will never fly again, but the wee chopper with the broken rotor is still collecting data. (Image credit: NASA.) The 4-pound miniature helicopter was the first vehicle to fly in the thin gravity of another planet, completing 72 missions on Mars instead of the planned 5 test flights. Rotor damage in February grounded the craft, but she continued communicating new photos and data back to Earth through companion rover Perseverance. However, Perseverance has been moving away from the chopper for months now and will soon be out of local comms range. Ginny is expected to continue collecting data on weather, dust patterns and more for up to 20 years. The hope is that when human explorers finally reach Mars, they locate Ginny and gather the accumulated data. Ingenuity team says goodbye to pioneering Mars helicopter 4/17/24 https://www.space.com/mars-helicopter-ingenuity-team-says-goodbye
Above is the Great Carina Nebula, an enormous star nursery about 7,500 light-years from Earth. (Image Credit & Copyright: Demison Lopes.) Check out this government site to see daily space-related images, with understandable explanations: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
April 8’s eclipse produced endless gorgeous images. The above composite above shows totality’s solar corona (as seen in Arkansas) in the middle, flanked by the stunning “diamond ring” phase seen just before and afterward. (Image credit: Wright Dobbs.) Again, can’t beat this site for daily awesome images: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
Earlier this month, Arizona returned to 1864. That’s not quite as far back as when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, but close enough for women. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on April 9 that a 160-year-old abortion ban is now enforceable, thanks to the ultra-conservative SCOTUS striking down the protections of Roe v. Wade. So, in Arizona, abortion is again outlawed from the moment of conception. Anyone who performs an abortion or helps a woman obtain one commits a FELONY, punishable by 5 years in prison; the only exception is a vague one for saving the woman’s life. Initially, the Arizona legislature seemed poised to strike down the ancient law, but far-right Republicans blocked that effort. Democrats are trying to organize a ballot initiative so voters can determine how abortion is handled in the state. Arizona Supreme Court rules a near-total abortion ban from 1864 is enforceable 4/9/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/arizona-supreme-court-ruling-abortion-ban-rcna146915
The above image shows abortion bans in the US. (Image credit: NYTimes.) BUT, it doesn’t include the RECENT bans in Florida and Arizona, so the current picture is even more dire than shown. In particular, Florida’s new ban makes being female in the American South truly dangerous. Tracking Abortion Bans Across the Country 4/9/24 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/us/abortion-laws-roe-v-wade.html
On April 24, SCOTUS hears oral arguments in ANOTHER abortion case. This one regards 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. Arguments balancing the woman’s life and welfare with that of the fetus will almost certainly allow the most conservative Justices to tout fetal personhood, which has far-ranging implications for IVF, contraception, and more. Texas, Idaho abortion bans test against federal emergency medicine rule 4/17/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/17/texas-idaho-supreme-court-abortion-emergency-care/
Listen to this 1-hour podcast from Slate, which explains the issues and the stakes, very well. (Just click on the PLAY arrow under the purple Amicus logo.) The Jurisprudence of Bleeding Out https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jurisprudence-of-bleeding-out/id928790786?i=1000652290865
To listen to SCOTUS orals on April 24, SCOTUS generally streams live audio, starting at 9AM Central, here: https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx Later in the day, the recording should be available here: https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_audio/2023
Back to me….
The eclipse was less than 2 weeks ago, but it seems like forever, right? Lakeway lucked out with the clouds thinning shortly before the big event, and I had a perfect vantage point for totality just by sitting in the cul de sac by my house with neighbors. The above image doesn’t compare to pro shots we’ve all seen, but it isn’t bad for a 15-year old point and shoot digital camera, no accessories or tripod, and me fumbling around in sudden darkness.
Still crazy busy, still with little to show for it. I would LOVE a few relaxing evenings at home….
For some reason, I had a sudden and irresistible urge to rearrange the furniture. I did that regularly for a couple years after moving in and doing multiple rounds of reno, but that is all ancient history. So far, though, I like the new set-up. More importantly, it has Full Feline Approval.
To follow up from last time, I can report Maxie (above) is doing better. Still getting regular follow-ups so her meds can be adjusted. Still purring like a motorboat. Still giving me hugs with those long arms….
Here are a few new deer photos, including a couple young buck still looking rumpled in winter coats. The does are nesting under the trees, and some are sporting big bellies. Fawn season will be here soon!
Coronavirus Update
As of April 13, 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. Some experts are concerned this may be an early warning of a new Covid wave on the way, especially with wastewater test levels rising in parts of the country. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
Also concerning is the new raft of variants, many bundled in groups of closely related mutations. (The largest group goes by FLiRT.) Read this for more on these issues: Are We FLiRTing With A New Covid Wave? 4/18/24 https://erictopol.substack.com/p/are-we-flirting-with-a-new-covid
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
Look for my final ELECTION BLOG, posted on April 21.
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!
Early Voting: April 22-30. Election Day: May 4.
SEE YOU AT THE POLLS!