Author: Nina Davis

The Coronavirus

Worldwide, new cases have fallen for the last 2 weeks. However, India’s death toll remains horrendous, with people dying due to hospitals running out of oxygen; it has become impossible to cremate all the bodies, so many are being dumped in rivers.  Cases are still rising in Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia.  Brazil and most of South America are also in trouble.

In the US, the infection rate has steadily dropped; it is 30% lower than 2 weeks ago, and 20% lower than last week.  Currently, hospitalizations and deaths are down to levels not seen in over a year–since April of 2020.  The feared 4^th surge seems to have been avoided, due to vaccination, past infections resulting in acquired immunity, and mask-wearing.  ‘Turning the Corner’: U.S. Covid Outlook Reaches Most Hopeful Point Yet  5/6/21  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/06/us/covid-case-hospitalizations-update.html

Look Mom—no masks! Things are going so well, the CDC now says fully vaccinated people can safely bare their faces indoors and outside!  Basically, being vaccinated makes Covid no more risky than getting in a car or going for a swim.  There are a few common sense exceptions (wear masks while using public transportation and when visiting hospitals or other medical settings, nursing homes, homeless shelters, or prisons).  Of course, people still must follow any local laws or rules set up by businesses as to masking and social distancing. 

Hate masks?  Then, GET VACCINATED!  Fully vaccinated? You can ditch the mask, CDC says  5/13/2 1https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cdc-plans-drop-mask-requirements-fully-vaccinated-people-n1267249

This boils down to: IF YOU ARE VACCINATED, YOU CAN RETURN TO A NORMAL LIFE, WITHOUT ENDANGERING YOURSELF OR OTHERS.  As long as you are NOT vaccinated, you remain a hazard to yourself and those around you, as well as providing a vector for the virus to spread and mutate.  PLEASE GET VACCINATED.

Vaccinations–the safe path to herd immunity

Worldwide, less than 10% of the population has received a shot.  The world may need to learn to live with the virus 5/9/21  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/09/world/virus-herd-endemic.html

The US recently came out in support of patent waivers to help all countries get access to vaccines.  However, that would be a long process, and many practical obstacles remain.  US declares support for patent waiver on Covid-19 vaccines  5/5/21  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/05/us-declares-support-for-patent-waiver-on-covid-19-vaccines

In the US, 58% of American adults have gotten at least 1 shot.  President Biden’s new goal is vaccinating 70 percent of American adults with at least 1 shot by July 4. Over 250 million shots have now been given by the Biden administration.  But, the pace of vaccination has slowed, for many reasons.  U.S. Vaccinations Are Slowing. What’s to Blame?  5/4/21  https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/05/04/us/vaccine-rollout-slowing.html

Basically, we are in the middle of the vaccination process.  Middles are always hard.   But, we must keep at it.  As much improved as things are in the US, we are still seeing an average of 600 people dying of Covid every day.  Many unvaccinated adults are not refusing to get a shot—they just need the shots to come to them.  They Haven’t Gotten a Covid Vaccine Yet. But They Aren’t ‘Hesitant’ Either. 5/12/21  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/12/us/covid-vaccines-vulnerable.html

So, the focus has shifted from large vaccination hubs to smaller clinics.  Now, there are over 80,000 vaccine sites, many operating on a walk-in basis.  Nearly every American has a vaccine site within 5 miles of home.  For those needing transportation, Uber and Lyft will provide MILLIONS of free rides.

Also, states are getting creative in encouraging vaccinations, setting up clinics at businesses, parks, places of worship, and transportation hubs.  Rewards started with free donuts and sports/concert tickets before ramping up to monetary incentives like $100 savings bonds.  Now, for Ohio residents, those vaccinated are entered into weekly lotteries to win $1million (adults) and free rides for 4 years of public university (teens).

For teens, there was a huge advance last week.  The Pfizer vaccine was approved for use in kids age 12-15, opening up safe in-person school, summer camp, and family vacations.  The F.D.A. authorizes the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children 12 to 15  5/10/21  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/10/health/pfizer-covid-vaccine-teens.html

Recent Covid articles I recommend….

–Everything you need to know about the new CDC mask guidance for fully vaccinated people  5/13/21 https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-cdc-mask-guidance-for-fully-vaccinated-people-111921733671?cid=eml_mda_20210514&user_email=6ed7408ec573645e45ac2a65b61d1e1e6ab1b9effbafc1d30d0a407afca1b325

–Why Herd Immunity is Slipping Away  25 minute podcast 5/7/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/07/podcasts/the-daily/coronavirus-herd-immunity-vaccine.html?rref=vanity

–U.S. Vaccinations Are Slowing. What’s to Blame?  5/4/21 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/05/04/us/vaccine-rollout-slowing.html

–The Other Side of Languishing Is Flourishing. Here’s How to Get There.  5/4/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/04/well/mind/flourishing-languishing.html

–Reaching ‘Herd Immunity’ Is Unlikely in the U.S., Experts Now Believe  5/3/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/03/health/covid-heard-immunity-vaccine.html

–Children Now Account For 22% of New U.S. COVID Cases. Why Is That?  5/3/21 https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/05/03/993141036/children-now-account-for-22-of-new-u-s-covid-cases-why-is-that

Daring Mighty Things

Ingenuity, NASA’s mini-copter exploring Mars, did so well in testing that it has been awarded a whole new mission.  The original goal was just to see if a helicopter could fly in the thin atmosphere of Mars.  Scientists were so impressed with Ingenuity’s performance they doubled its lifespan from 30 to 60 days.  Now, they have decided to use Ingenuity over the next several months for aerial reconnaissance of the surrounding landscape, to assist exploration by the rover, Perseverance.  NASA Mars Helicopter Makes One-Way Flight to New Mission 5/7/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/07/science/mars-helicopter-nasa-ingenuity.html

Here is a 2 minute video of Ingenuity flying over Mars: Ingenuity Helicopter’s 5th flight on Mars with Dust Devil behind (video by Perseverance)  5/8/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ6F1Wt6_wU

60 Minutes did a great 13 minute segment on the entire project, that includes stunning footage of Mars: Perseverance rover, Ingenuity helicopter, and the search for ancient life on Mars  5/9/21  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRrFRL5v0ig

More Martian scenery: Perseverance Rover Captures Unidentified Flying Object at the Top of ‘Santa Cruz’ Hill on Mars  5/13/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFMRRF7EQbw

In Lakeway

The end of an era….

Police Chief Radford resigned on May 14.  Lakeway Police Chief Todd Radford resigns after 14 years with department  https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/lake-travis-view/2021/05/14/lakeway-chief-police-todd-radford-resigns/5100520001/?fbclid=IwAR2650b_OMKanIsAd8HpEyibg4w8Co5aXCW1pyzoibWMJmqHksItMVEea1Y

Follow up on Council’s May 3 meeting

This lame duck session was largely house-keeping, with Council: formally resolving the city’s lawsuit over the Cherry Knoll development (due to the PUD being recently adopted); introducing our new Emergency Management Coordinator; rescinding/revising/extending Lakeway’s Covid-19 regulations; and (after an executive session) adopting unspecified policies for the police department.

In addition, they discussed several proposed projects under the Capitol Improvement Plan.  City staff will use the feedback provided to flesh out the projects and timeline for action down the road.  It sounded like the $445K new bridge between the Sculpture Garden/Justice Center and the Hamilton Green Belt will be brought forward for safety reasons (engineering to be done in 2021 and construction done in 2022).  Also, Council wants the police department’s current new CAD/RMS software to be reviewed now, with immediate problems resolved, since replacing the system will not happen quickly or cheaply. (Per the City Manager, $200K remains from the Police Station bond, that could be used toward the estimated $600K price tag for a new system.)  A robust discussion took place regarding cost sharing of $300K for the (eventual) stoplight at Lohmans and Main.  Since Wingreen Loop, The Village of the Hills’ main entrance/exit, will also be connected by that crucial intersection, The Hills must pay up.

Go here to watch this Council meeting online—https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/120268

Council also had a Special Meeting on May 12

This was largely to canvass the official results of the May 1 election.   As we already knew, Tom Kilgore won the contest for mayor (hallelujah!), and the 3 Council seats were won by Gretchen Vance, Sanjeev Kumar, and Keith Trecker.  Also, the periodic renewal of a 0.25% sales tax to pay for road repairs passed.  Full voting details by precinct are included in the Meeting Packet for this session.  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

Here is a photo of the overall results as reported by Travis County—

Council next meets on Monday, May 17, 6:30pm. 

This is an in-person meeting at City Hall.  Masks are required, and distancing means there will be reduced seating available.  Comments can be submitted to Council beforehand, but no one can call in to participate.  Citizens Participation requires attendance.

The Agenda includes recognition of departing Mayor Cox and Council Member Howell.  Also, Tom Kilgore will be sworn in as our new Mayor, along with Gretchen Vance, Sanjeev Kumar, and Keith Trecker as Council Members.  Plus, a new Mayor Pro Tem will be named.  Finally, as far as city personnel matters, Council will act on Chief Radford’s resignation.

In addition, Legends is asking for approval of the final plat of the Rough Hollow Community Park.  Also, Legacy Development has an initial presentation of a possible future project off Flint Rock Road (NOT Legacy’s recently approved PUD project).  Topics include road construction, garage orientation, exterior construction materials, in lieu of parkland fees, cut/fill variance, and building height maximum.   (Details are in the Meeting Packet.)

Go here for the Agenda and Meeting Packet— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

To send comments to Council beforehand (there is a 3pm deadline on the meeting date) about any agenda item, go here and create a Public Comment Form–https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

Go here to watch this Council meeting online (live or after the fact)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

ZAPCO and Nightingale Project

Finally, ZAPCO’s May 10 meeting included initial review of the contentious Nightingale Project, a proposed $75 million multi-family development on 620, at the old Pope Enterprises site next to Cardinal Hills.  The developer wants to change the site’s future land use map designation from the current commercial to residential and then wants to build under a Planned Unit Development; the PUD would amount to R-8 zoning with several variances allowing 294 apartments (with a pool and other amenities) in 2 buildings (4 stories tall, with 1 story under-grade), plus a 1 acre public park and a parking garage.  The land is just shy of 8 acres, so it would be very dense; the proposal amounts to 37 units per acre, as opposed to the city’s maximum 12 units per acre.   Parking provided would be just 441 spaces, well short of the 629 spaces that ordinance requires for the planned apartment units.  The developer claims there would be a stop light on 620 at Nightingale, but the resulting traffic on the roads surrounding the tract is concerning. 

The interesting thing about this proposal is that it would be WORKFORCE HOUSING, meaning workers in a certain income range would get a break of $500 to $1,000 per month on rent.  Local business owners commented at the meeting that this affordable housing would be a first for our area and would help immensely in hiring workers to support Lakeway businesses of all kinds.  Of course, many residential neighbors commented against the project, worried about traffic, parking, and in some cases just upset the tract would be developed at all.  Yet, this property fronts 620 and obviously will be built out at some point; the requested residential zoning seems to be a step up from the current commercial designation. 

The proposal got a very fair hearing at ZAPCO.  It was noted that our Comprehensive Plan favors BOTH commercial development (for additional sales tax revenue) and workforce housing (to supply workers for our businesses), with the location in question a prime spot for BOTH types of development.  In the end, the matter was tabled for up to 90 days and detailed notes were given to the developer, requesting many very specific changes (the most important being less apartments and more parking) IF it wants ZAPCO to consider recommending the proposal to Council.  I’m pretty sure we will hear more about this development soon. Go here to watch the meeting (item 6)– https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/120589

Back to me….

So, I am 3 weeks past my second Pfizer shot and thus FULLY VACCINATED.  I can quit worrying about getting sick, and mostly my mask can stay in my pocket.  After well over a year, I’m thinking about getting back to normal….  Life is good.

I adore my new yard sign, and Lakeway drivers certainly need to be reminded to watch for newborn fawns.  Sadly, dozens of our fawns are hit by cars every spring/summer.

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Lakeway artist Victoria Waite created these signs and sold 50 immediately on Next Door.  She just had another batch of these adorable signs printed.  They will go quick!  To buy one ($20 each), go here—https://www.facebook.com/FawnsAtPlay

I FINALLY SPOTTED A FAWN!  This one was a few days old, hanging out with Mama Doe and a few yearlings on Vanguard.  I also saw a VERY expectant doe—twins are in there, at least…. Plus, my favorite twins from last year are still inseparable, and I will add the latest shot I got of them, as well as one of a very confident Great Blue Heron who hangs out at the pond near Live Oak’s 14^th hole.

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Panda cub video updates on Washington Zoo’s Xiao (AKA Biscuit):

—Mei Xiang Loves Munching On Her Cub 05-13-21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UATAXe1-wTI

Let’s see what Xiao Qi Ji does up in his favorite tree & how Mei rolls with her baby  5/6/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGr7Nh2wxk0

Lakeway ELECTION RESULTS

Heartfelt CONGRATS to MAYOR TOM KILGORE!  No one deserves the win more than Tom, but the REAL winner here is City of Lakeway.  Truly, Happy Days are Here Again….

More good news is that Gretchen Vance was re-elected to Council.  The other 2 Council winners are Sanjeev Kumar and Keith Trecker.

The Coronavirus

Worldwide, we are as sick as we have ever been.  While the US and some nations are vaccinating and doing better with the pandemic, other nations (India and Brazil being the worst-hit) are now on fire with Covid.  The result is more new cases (close to 1 million documented per day) worldwide than EVER recorded.  Deaths are also at record levels.  Aside from the human tragedy, this means that the virus now has unparalleled opportunity to mutate, threatening our precious vaccines.

In the US, the 4^th surge seems under control.  Over the last 2 weeks, new cases have dropped 27%.  The country is averaging around 55,000 new daily infections, and the daily rate tends to be well under 1,000 people.  Still, the death total is now over 590,000, so we creep toward the mind-boggling milestone of 600,000 dead of Covid-19.

The CDC updated mask guidelines last week.  Now, people who are fully vaccinated can be OUTDOORS WITHOUT A MASK, except in heavy crowds like concerts or sports events.  Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People  4/27/21  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html

Vaccinations–the safe path to herd immunity

Worldwide, over one billion vaccine doses have been administered.  Sounds impressive, but that is only 14 doses for every 100 people. Tracking Coronavirus Vaccinations Around the World  4/29/21 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/world/covid-vaccinations-tracker.html

In the US, over 100 million Americans are fully vaccinated.  That is 40% of the adults in the country, while 55% of the adults have gotten at least 1 shot.

The Biden administration delivered a heroic 220 million shots in its first 100 days.  However, the pace has slowed recently; the country averaged less than three million shots a day over the last week, down from a peak of more than 3.3 million per day.  This was due in part to the recent issues with the J&J vaccine.  Also, we have largely covered the elderly and the other at-risk groups, as well as those people eager enough to fight for limited appointments and travel to large hub centers for a shot.  Now, unvaccinated adults include the busy, the inattentive, the unconcerned (mostly younger adults), the politically contrary, and the die-hard anti-vaxxers.   

The government, businesses, and private groups are targeting these various holdouts in different ways.  Pres. Biden announced a new federal program to give workers paid leave to receive their vaccination, saying: “No working American should lose a single dollar from their paycheck because they chose to fulfill their patriotic duty of getting vaccinated.”  West Virginia is giving a $100 savings bond to people who get vaccinated.  Many businesses, as well as colleges and universities, are hosting on-site vaccination clinics; in addition, they are REQUIRING employees/students to get vaccinated, to guard against outbreaks that could cripple operations.  So far, it has not taken this step, but the federal government may require the military to get vaccinated; currently the Covid vax is optional, since it is under emergency approval, but the military has long required its personnel to take myriad vaccinations, depending on location.  Even non-military federal employees and contractors could be required to get vaccinated.  Some are suggesting it is time for widespread cash incentives, in order to get enough adults vaccinated to reach herd immunity and stifle Covid.  (Approved vaccines for those under age 16 are in process, but movement there is not expected before fall.)

In Texas, about 8 million people/34% of the adults are fully vaccinated.

In Travis County, roughly 400,000 people/40% of the adults are fully vaccinated.

Recent Covid articles I recommend….

–How Pfizer Makes Its Covid-19 Vaccine  4/28/21 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/health/pfizer-coronavirus-vaccine.html

—Got vaccinated? Here’s all the free stuff you can get  4/26/21 https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/24/business/vaccine-freebies/index.html

—Answers to All Your Questions About Getting Vaccinated for Covid-19  updated 4/25/21 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/well/covid-vaccine-questions.html

—Answers to All Your Questions About Getting Vaccinated for Covid-19  updated 4/25/21 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/well/covid-vaccine-questions.html

—Patients With Long Covid Face Lingering Worrisome Health Risks  4/22/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/22/health/covid-patients-health-risks-long-term.html

—What Do You Do When the Kids Are Still Unvaccinated?  4/22/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/22/opinion/unvaccinated-kids.html

—The Years We’ve Lost to Covid  4/21/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/21/well/covid-statistics-years-life-lost.html

—Irrational Covid Fears  4/19/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/briefing/european-soccer-league-mars-helicopter-navalny.html

—There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing  4/19/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.html

Daring Mighty Things

Ingenuity, the adorable mini-helicopter on Mars, made several successful flights, starting on April 19.  NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter makes maiden flight on Mars in a “Wright brothers moment”  4/19/21 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mars-ingenuity-helicopter-maiden-flight/

In fact, Ingenuity is such a success story, its trial has been extended another 30 days.  NASA extends Mars helicopter Ingenuity’s high-flying mission on Red Planet 4/27/21 https://www.space.com/nasa-mars-helicopter-ingenuity-mission-extended

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Somewhat closer to home, NASA and Space-X successfully launched 4 astronauts to the International Space Station on April 23.  This was the first flight ever to re-use both the capsule AND the rocket for the trip.  Watch here– SpaceX Crew-2 Launches  4/23/21   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq-FwAEcrWI

In Lakeway

There are 4—yes, 4—Council meetings to cover here, 2 regular and 2 special.

Follow up on Council’s April 19 meeting

Council voted unanimously to approve a planned development (PUD) on Flint Rock Road, allowing developer Legacy DCS to build 126 detached single-family homes on 22 acres, plus 3 acres of commercial/park space, with several variances.  Legacy agreed to add a right in/right out to the complex and to landscape the entire commercial area as a park in Phase 1. The next step will be drafting a Development Agreement governing the project, but this solidifies settlement of the land owner’s long-running lawsuit with the city.

Also, Stratus was back for another presentation on The Oaks and Main Street.  (See previous blogs for more info and links to plans and written statement.) The developer reiterated that if we stick with the current PUD requiring 70-100 patio homes (that Stratus hopes to sell for up to $1 million each) and possibly a hotel, construction would NOT happen in the foreseeable future.  While it might be possible to hurry this along with bond funding via a PID, Stratus has never used that option and hinted of delay.  Its preference is clearly building 275 apartments on 8 acres on one side of the road, leaving the other 26 acres as dedicated parkland.  Stratus said it could start on THAT option by end of 2021 and complete it all in 24 months, with occupancy of the apartments tied to completion of the road.  (NOTE that the configuration of the road was never mentioned.  Is Stratus building all 4 lanes of the road, or only 2 lanes, with Lakeway responsible for expanding it?)  The few citizen comments made favored this option, due to the benefit of a large park in the heart of town.  Council members also loved the park option, especially since it includes the existing ponds, as well as deeming apartments and a park to be good transition areas between the commercial use at one end of Mail Street and the R-1/single family homes already approved for the Legends tract at the other end (emptying out onto Lohman’s at Wingreen Loop).  Community input was requested, but Council directed staff to work with Stratus to better define the apartment/park option.

Council decided to move forward with pre-design, conceptual design and funding support phases on a proposed YMCA recreation center.  Information obtained should facilitate a decision on whether this is something that works for Lakeway.  The city will split the $48,000 total cost of this investigation with LTISD.

Council also reviewed the Capital Improvement Plan, approving 3 Parks and Recreation projects, utilizing $484,000 previously set aside for the department in 2021.  These projects are replacing the playscape at City Park for $300k, replacing the projection trailer with an LED mobile screen trailer for $130K, and installing a sidewalk near the Hurst Creel Sculpture Garden for $54K.  Other proposed Capital Fund projects for 2022 and 2023 include: landscaping at various parks for $100K; Hurst Creek Sculpture Park Bridge for $445K; various park trails for $130K; new CAD/RMS software system for the police department at around $600K; an enclosed modular shooting range for the police department at $470K, to allow on-site arms training and certification for police officers; crosswalk at Lakeway Blvd. and Lakeway Drive, at $90K; Lakeway Drive pavement overlay at $411K; and Lakeway Blvd. milling and overlay at $3.3 million.  (The 3 road projects will likely be added to the transportation bond needed to fund Lakeway’s share of the 620 retrofit project.) Go here to watch this Council meeting online–https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/119656

Follow up on Council’s April 26 meeting

The Mayor scheduled a surprise special meeting, held in person on April 26.  Lame ducks go quack, quack, quack….

Council approved reviewed a roster of bills for the city to support or oppose, from the predictably sordid melange now pending at the Texas legislature.  (This item seems to be the reason for this extra meeting.)  It voted to SUPPORT assessing internet sales tax by location, requiring county approval for purchase of a facility to house the homeless, making it easier to annex a right of way, and continuing alcoholic beverage sales to go.  It voted to OPPOSE requiring candidate party affiliation to appear on ballots in local elections, assessing penalties on cities for defunding the police, allowing disannexation of properties not receiving all city services, allowing zoning variances based on the owner’s financial hardship, removing territory from emergency services areas, and stopping cities from using lobbyists at the legislature.  

Council also approved an ordinance terminating the city’s employment contracts, other than its contract with the City Manager or as specified by statute, and making everyone else at will employees.  (As the city attorney stated, they tried to clean up related language in the ordinances, but it got unexpectedly complicated as to the prosecutor, judges, etc. They also specified when the City Manager can hire/terminate personnel and when Council gets involved.) This was teed up at the last meeting following an Executive Session; the publicly given reason was that the city has multiple employee contracts with varying terms.  Various comments hinted that the police chief got the short end of this stick.

Go here to watch this Council meeting online—https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/119994

Council next meets on Monday, May 3, 6:30pm.

This is an in person meeting at City Hall.  Masks are required, and distancing means there will be reduced seating available.  Comments can be submitted to Council beforehand, but no one can call in to participate.  Citizens Participation requires attendance.

The new Mayor and Council member/s will NOT yet be certified or sworn in, so anything accomplished will be more lame duck action. However, the Agenda is largely house-keeping items.

The city’s lawsuit over the Cherry Knoll development is formally resolved, due to the PUD being adopted at the last meeting.

The city’s new Emergency Management Coordinator will be introduced. 

Our existing Covid-19 regulations need to be rescinded/revised/extended.

Capital Improvement projects for 2022 and 2023 will be discussed.  (Most are mentioned in the April 26 meeting review, above.)

Finally, there are 4 Executive Sessions (police department, personnel matters, economic development project, and legal advice). Go here for the Agenda and Meeting Packet— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

To send comments to Council beforehand (there is a 3pm deadline on the meeting date) about any agenda item, go here and create a Public Comment Form–https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

Go here to watch this Council meeting online (live or after the fact)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Finally, ANOTHER extra Council meeting has been set for 10am on Wednesday, May 12. 

No Agenda is available yet, but this could well just be the outgoing ceremony/swearing in of new officials.

Back to me….

I got my SECOND vaccine shot (Pfizer) in late April.  The side effects were just a little more pronounced than with the first shot—body aches, swollen lymph nodes and a really sore arm—but they only lasted a couple days.  I still need a couple weeks to build up antibodies and be fully protected, but the relief I feel now is immense.

Another painting project is checked off my list.  I hauled this handy storage chest around for decades, and I barely remember the house whose décor it matched.  Now, it looks great in my kitchen and holds extra cases of canned and bags of dry cat food.  Plus kitty treats, can’t forget the treats….

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Nearly every day now, lucky folks post on Next Door adorable images of newborn fawns parked in their yards.  Personally, I have seen NO babies  yet.  So, here are some of my favorite squirrel photos from over the years.  I love squirrels….

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Panda cub updates on Washington Zoo’s Xiao (AKA Biscuit):

—Xiao Qi Ji’s Precious Play While Momma Rests  5/1/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmi4OOEnLLU

—Xiao Qi Ji’s The Cutest, Hungriest Little Pest Ever 04/25/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtfHHUcuhtQ

—A Sweet Day for Momma Bear and Baby Bear—and just a quick visit with Papa Bear 04/21/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wupjRMvOBrs

This ELECTION EDITION highlights info on that topic, plus significant updates on Council issues.  Coronavirus info appears below.

In Lakeway

Lakeway elects a new mayor and 3 council members on May 1, 2021. 

Early voting starts April 19 and ends April 27.  Our Early Voting location is Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek).  Vote for ONE person for mayor, but you can vote for up to THREE people for council (of the 5 running, the top 3 vote-getters win seats). 

Please VOTE!  Our May elections always have very low turnout.  Traditionally, that has allowed the same small group of residents to control the outcome.  Let’s change that!

I created 10 questions and sent them out to all the candidates.  The responses are on a new page on this website—Lakeway May 1 Election.  Today, I added MUCH MORE INFO there.  Click on that page in the Menu above or use this link—https://ninawriteorwronginlakeway.com/lakeway-may-1-election/

MAYOR–I endorse Tom Kilgore.    

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Having researched the candidates AND having closely followed local politics for years now, I will be voting for TOM KILGORE to be our next mayor, and I hope you will consider doing so, as well. Tom is the level head we need leading the city and managing our growth. For years, he has advocated for building safe roads, conservative financial management, and transparent government.

Tom graduated from West Point and honorably served our country until he retired in 1996. He then went on to a successful career in the energy industry, working in both public and private companies. He retired here in Lakeway to be close to his family. He has been active in city politics for years.

And I do mean “active.”  I have attended or watched online just about every Council meeting for the last 3 years, and I assure you that Tom Kilgore has done the same.  He often provides comments—always on point and insightful—in Citizens Participation.  Tom also was appointed by Council to serve on the recent Charter Review Committee.  And (in a matter close to my heart), Tom stepped up in 2019 with a generous donation to retrofit the spiked metal fencing erected along the brand new police station grounds, making it safe for our kids and wildlife.  Tom’s integrity is exactly what Lakeway needs.

Tom Kilgore knows Lakeway’s issues, and he is the right person to be our next mayor.  Personally, I have serious misgivings about the other candidate for mayor that just START with his complete lack of involvement with Lakeway to date.  I dearly wish this message could be 100% positive, but there are disturbing things in Mr. Babin’s recent past that voters deserve to know.  Schuette Shuts Down Another Deceptive Veterans Charity  11/16/17  https://www.michigan.gov/som/0,4669,7-192-47796-452462–,00.html?fbclid=IwAR12AoLuzA95Me0K-7LS8Ma-WW2VItG7PvY1Ty9gMgzFs6NiEsjtN-x5ahU

Click below to visit Tom’s site and learn more about his campaign (you can also request a very cool Kilgore for Mayor sign for your yard): https://kilgoreforlakeway.com/

COUNCIL—I will vote for Gretchen Vance.  As for the rest of the candidates on the ballot for Council, Lakeway is in a world of hurt.  

See my Lakeway May 1 Election page for more info and resources. https://ninawriteorwronginlakeway.com/lakeway-may-1-election/

Follow up on Council’s April 5 meeting–Stratus—Main Street and options for The Oaks: patio homes vs. apartments

Stratus Properties presented options for development of its land, as related to the long overdue completion of Main Street.  It was recently revealed that the city neglected back in 2015 to get an agreement signed regarding the developer’s obligations for building the road section beyond HEB.  Nevertheless, the city passed an ordinance requiring Stratus to start construction in 2021 and complete the middle portion by 2023. 

The tract, still owned by Stratus, is roughly 36 acres, extending from where Main Street now ends at the barricades.  It includes the missing middle section of Main Street.  This will connect to the missing far section of Main Street that is in the Legends tract, ending at Lohmans, where The Hills has its main gate on Wingreen Loop.  THAT is where there will eventually be a stoplight connecting Lohmans to Main Street.  (Legends already has approval for residential and commercial development of its tract and is due to break ground later this year.)

Currently, the Stratus land is approved as a PUD (planned unit development), allowing 70-100 houses (zoned R-2, patio homes) and a hotel/event center.  Stratus made it clear at the meeting it is NOT interested in pursuing this type of development at this time, saying it can’t make enough money on the homes, and another hotel in that area currently makes no sense.  No development now means no road now, per Stratus.

Instead, as what it called “an alternative to move things along,” Stratus proposed a multi-family development—apartments—on about 10 acres of the land that would all be on one side of the road (to the left if you stand at the barricades and look into the vacant land).  There would be 250-275 apartments (1, 2 and 3 bedrooms, no rental pricing provided), in 13 buildings, densely situated.  The buildings are “lake house” style—pitched roofs and lots of wood.  They were shown as 3 stories; most or all of the first floor area would be parking.  No amenities were mentioned, but the drawing shows a clubhouse and pool.  The rest of the land, over on the right side of the road (about 26 acres, bordering Rolling Green) would be undeveloped parkland.

My impression was that the multi-family plan was very spur of the moment, with Stratus just throwing numbers up in the air.  The representatives were poorly prepared, with no solid answers to questions raised.  The whole thing could just be a delaying tactic, and I wonder if Stratus is trying to sell the land.  The fact is that Stratus has the city over a barrel, since we really need Main Street completed before work starts on revamping 620.  And, Stratus’ sudden demand for a dense apartment development in the heart of Lakeway seems abusive.  (Even for that plan, Stratus provided no timeline for the road.)  It may well be that the only way to get Main Street built in the near future is for the city to take the land and build the road itself, hoping to recoup funds from Stratus later.

On the other hand, if there is ANY location within Lakeway appropriate for a dense apartment complex, it is this site, which is next to heavy commercial development.  As mentioned at the meeting, designating a percentage of the apartments as affordable housing should be considered.  The central location and walking access to shops and restaurants are big positives.  Also, having a 4 lane road running through the tract makes it difficult to place luxury homes.  And, having a large park on the Rolling Green side insulates those established homes as well as providing green space for everyone.  (In the patio home version, the houses would be across the entire tract, with a buffer along Rolling Green but no large park.)

Council made no decision at the April 5 meeting.  This is something the community needs to know about and weigh in on, sending comments to the mayor and council members.  The city recently uploaded the Stratus presentation, and that PDF is attached here. To watch the meeting, go here and click on item 5 (the discussion is about an hour)– https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/117125

Here is the PDF showing various drawings.

Contact officials with your questions and comments here– https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/100/Mayor-City-Council Or email info@lakeway-tx.gov

Council meets on Monday, April 19, 6:30pm. 

This will be an IN PERSON MEETING AT CITY HALL.  [I assume the 3 newcomers on the May 1 ballot have supporters lined up to lead them by the hand to City Hall, to be sure they find it.]  Masks are required, and distancing means there will be reduced seating available.  Comments can be submitted to Council beforehand, but no one can call in to participate.  Citizens Participation requires attendance.

The agenda includes another consideration of the planned development on Flint Rock Road (item 11), after a Traffic Study was reviewed at the April 5 meeting.  Request is for a zoning change from the current R-1 and C-1 to creation of a Planned Unit Development.  Having settled a long-running lawsuit with the city, developer Legacy DCS wants to build 126 detached single-family homes on 25 acres, with several variances.  This development is designed to serve the adjacent hospital complex, and the proposal is more in line with Lakeway’s usual requirements than the recent one for apartments.  But, nearby homeowners are objecting over density and traffic.  The Meeting Packet for April 19 has info on this item.

Also, Stratus is back for another presentation on The Oaks and Main Street (item 15).  See above for a summary of their presentation at the last meeting.  Stratus has provided written answers to some questions from last time, and the document is in the April 19 meeting Packet (pages 166-170).  For the apartment option, Stratus clarified there would be 275 units (750 to 1510 square feet) priced at $1600-1700 (but possibly including some workforce/affordable units), with amenities.  Extensive variances would be required.  Completion date for the road was vague but tied to completion of the project.  (I cannot see how THAT could be done in 2 years.)  For the patio homes option, Stratus was even less specific, but it did say the homes would be high-end with no workforce/affordable units and that the PUD allows 83 homes OR 56 homes plus a hotel.  Stratus stated construction on this option would not start in the foreseeable future, with the same applying to Main Street expansion.  Clearly, Stratus is not interested in doing the right thing for Lakeway.  Here are the new pages from Stratus:

Plus, there is a proposal for a recreation center (item 16) that was last considered a year ago.  Lakeway is being asked to move forward with the YMCA to the pre-design, conceptual design and funding support phases, for $48,000.  Details are in the Meeting Packet, pages 172-187.

And, there is a long list of expensive projects recommended for the Capital Improvement Plan (item 17).

The Agenda concludes with Executive Sessions, away from the public, on 5 separate issues (including what amounts to suing Stratus over Main Street). Go here for the Agenda and Meeting Packet— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

Keep in mind that this is likely the LAST time this Mayor and Council will preside, depending on how long it takes to certify the May 1 vote.  There WILL be a NEW MAYOR and up to 3 new Council members at upcoming meetings, making a majority of the April 19 members LAME DUCKS.  It will be interesting to see how that goes….

To send comments to Council beforehand (there is a 3pm deadline on the meeting date) about any agenda item, go here and create a Public Comment Form–https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

Go here to watch this Council meeting online (live or after the fact)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

The Coronavirus

Worldwide, the stats just passed some mind-boggling milestones.  There are now over 140 million confirmed cases, as well as over 3 million Covid deaths.  (Due to lack of testing in many countries, both numbers are considered serious undercounts of reality.)  At the world level, Covid remains a deadly and uncontrolled wildfire.

In the US, a worrisome projection became reality as of April 7: Most infections in America are now caused by a contagious virus variant that was first identified in Britain.

America continues to experience a slow but steady rise in cases and hospitalizations, as the fourth surge continues.  As of April 16, over 20 states reported at least a 10% rise in daily average positive cases.  Michigan remains the worst-hit state.  Hospitals across the country report younger patients in this surge, likely due to most seniors having been vaccinated.

The latest Covid controversy seems to be over pandemic passports, which is just secure certification that a person has been vaccinated.  Those who get vaccinated have the right to be able to prove that, as needed for work, school, travel, etc.  Some states—Texas and other red ones, of course—are blocking this, seeming determined to protect those who refuse vaccination, as opposed to protecting public health.  There are consequences for refusing to get vaccinated—practical ones in addition to the whole get-sick-and-maybe-die thing.  Airlines, schools, and businesses worldwide want to protect their workers and customers, and proof of vaccination is the obvious way to do that.  As time passes and the vaccines become widespread, everyone will have to choose to get vaccinated or get out of the way as society moves forward.  A small number of loudly outraged Americans defining freedom as the right to infect others will not be tolerated by the rest of the world.  Here are a couple articles on the issues:

—Likely Legal, ‘Vaccine Passports’ Emerge as the Next Coronavirus Divide  4/6/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/06/us/politics/vaccine-passports-coronavirus.html

—Should You Be Worried About ‘Vaccine Passports’?  4/6/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/06/opinion/vaccine-passports-covid.html

Vaccinations–the safe path to herd immunity

Finally, America is setting a GOOD standard for the pandemic!

On April 5, Pres. Biden announced that as of April 19, every adult 18 and up will be eligible for vaccination across the US.  The supply of doses is steadily increasing, so it looks like all adults can actually be vaccinated by this summer.

A new daily vaccination record was set—4.6 million shots were given on April 10.

Among US adults, 30% are now fully vaccinated, with 50% having received at least one dose of vaccine.   Last week, the FDA and CDC agreed to temporarily pause use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, due to 6 reported cases on a rare type of blood clot in people having received the shot. So far, J&J shots have accounted for only about 9 percent of fully vaccinated Americans, but the company is scheduled to deliver a larger proportion of product soon. J&J paused U.S. Calls for Pause on Johnson & Johnson Vaccine After Clotting Cases 4/13/21  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/13/us/politics/johnson-johnson-vaccine-blood-clots-fda-cdc.html

My view is that the FDA and CDC saw that something serious happened and decided an investigation need to be done, to see IF the J&J vaccine caused the blood clots.  Seems to me this is the correct scientific response.  And, it should not make people afraid of ANY of the vaccines.  It shows the process works, AND it proves that ALL the vaccines are being watched closely and are SAFE. If you want to understand this controversial issue, I recommend listening to this excellent podcast. The Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Pause Explained   https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/15/podcasts/the-daily/johnson-johnson-vaccine-blood-clots-covid.html?rref=vanity

In Texas, more than 6 million people in Texas are fully vaccinated, which is about 20% of the state’s population.

Recent Covid articles I recommend

Covid Hospitalizations At Highest Level In Over A Month As Cases And Deaths Climb  4/16/21 https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/04/16/covid-hospitalizations-at-highest-level-in-over-a-month-as-cases-and-deaths-climb/?sh=60213019196d

What Women Need to Know About the Covid Vaccine  4/14/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/14/well/live/women-covid-19-vaccine.html

Likely Legal, ‘Vaccine Passports’ Emerge as the Next Coronavirus Divide  4/6/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/06/us/politics/vaccine-passports-coronavirus.html

Should You Be Worried About ‘Vaccine Passports’?  4/6/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/06/opinion/vaccine-passports-covid.html

Great series of Q&As on side effects from the shots and how to handle them.  Is the Second Dose Bad? If I Feel OK, Is It Working? Can I Take Tylenol?  4/4/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/02/well/live/covid-vaccine-side-effects-faq.html

Excellent and reassuring article on why this is all so hard and why we feel so bad.  We Have All Hit a Wall  4/3/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/03/business/pandemic-burnout-productivity.html

Back to me….

I’m painting again! My built-in-1997 home had gold hardware EVERYWHERE.  Some people like that—not me.  I changed out the cabinet pulls, hinges, doorknobs (SO MANY doorknobs….), etc. to modern brushed nickel during the 2 renos.  But, I was stuck with the very gold custom threshold at the front door; inside and outside, it glared blindingly, taunting me….  Rather than have a new one made, I decided to try painting it.  So, after sanding and slapping on a coat of primer, I applied metallic paint in brushed nickel.  (Having been using lovely latex paint recently, I had forgotten that oil paint is sticky to work with and a bear to clean up, plus it STINKS.)  But, I got 2 coats on, and the result is exactly what I wanted.  The threshold now matches all the brushed nickel hardware in the house, and you’d never know it was painted as opposed to coming that way.

• 

• 

I am scheduled for my second Pfizer vaccination next week.  I can’t wait.

NEWBORN FAWNS ARE HERE! 

DO NOT assume a fawn has been abandoned.  Mama does leave newborns in safe areas to rest while they forage.  Parked fawns tend to curl up like cats and nap.  The spot chosen may seem exposed; fawns are safer from predators out in the open than they would be hidden in a wooded area.  Does don’t go far, and often other deer in her group keep watch.  Removing a fawn that is not in danger or clearly in distress causes terrible harm.

If the fawn is wandering around or bleating, it may need help.  If the ears are curled at the tips or its bottom is dirty, Mom hasn’t been around in a long time and the fawn needs help.  If the fawn has been injured or is being attacked by fire ants, it needs help.  Otherwise, don’t get close enough to frighten it into moving from its assigned spot, and let Mama Doe return.

If you do find a fawn or other deer in distress, here are people to call:

–Lakeway police animal control officer Andrea Greig  (cell)  512-261-2852.

–Wildlife rescue expert Leanne Dupay  512-694-1811 (she lives in The Hills.)

–Animal rehabber Emily Ash  512-773-5653  (she lives in Bee Cave)

–All Things Wild animal rehab  512-897-0806

–Austin Wildlife Rescue  512-472-9453

All this info and more is on my website’s Parked Fawn page; see Menu above or click here– https://ninawriteorwronginlakeway.com/parked-fawns-injured-deer

Since I have not seen any fawns yet, here are some recent photos of our adult deer in town.

  

Panda cub updates on Washington Zoo’s Xiao (AKA Biscuit):

I am impressed with how dedicated this panda mom is; she really seems to love playing and interacting with her very demanding cub pretty much constantly.  And, it is a VERY good thing that panda cubs are so well-padded, as Biscuit takes a lot of slips and falls as he careens around non-stop.

Xiao Qi Ji and Momma’s Delightful Life  4/14/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKtInWasvJw

Xiao Qi Ji & Momma’s Rip Roaring Funfest in the Panda House  4/10/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPR78nHKj1Q

 Xiao Qi Ji & Momma’s Sweet Day 4/6/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsAkJiK6GgY

Watch Xiao Qi Ji Climb and Tumble  4/2/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7syodg5x1Jc

The Coronavirus

In the US

New cases are now climbing.  Again.  Just like experts warned would happen if precautions were suddenly ignored.  The daily new case average over the last week was 65,000, which is 19% higher than 2 weeks ago.  Of the 30 states with rising numbers, Michigan is in the worst shape, in crisis statewide with many hospitals overwhelmed.  New York and New Jersey are also surging.  Experts blame reckless business and restaurant openings, cancellation of mask requirements, a burst of travel, an uptick in sporting event attendance, and rapidly spreading variants.  Many states (including Texas) have severely curtailed testing, so actual new case numbers are higher than reported. 

Dropping our guard now makes no sense.  Everyone will be vaccinated very soon.  But, you have stay alive until then.

In Texas

A win for masks! On 3/26, a Travis County court rejected arguments by egregious Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and refused to strike down Austin/Travis County orders that customers wear a face covering in local businesses.  In doing so, Judge Livingston displayed unusual common sense, as follows:

–Judge Livingston was concerned that Abbott’s latest executive order prohibited local officials from enforcing mask mandates but allowed individual businesses to require customers to wear a mask — or enter without one.  That gives business owners, who can make those decisions without any scientific basis at all, more power over people’s health than local health authorities who are medical experts.  “What makes sense about that?” the judge asked.

— Judge Livingston  asked “What are the the state interests in preventing a jurisdiction from trying to keep their people safe?”  The state lawyer replied: “Preserving the freedom of individual choice.”  Livingston responded that individual choice would seem to allow infected people to “spew and infect others” by declining to wear a mask. “Why should a person with a deadly virus have more power than the person trying not to catch the deadly virus?” she asked.

As the state inevitably wastes taxpayer money on fighting for its right to kill as many Texans as it likes, the awesomely sensible ruling of Judge Livingston will be overturned; the appeals courts and especially the Texas Supreme Court are toxic Republicans.  But, in the meantime, masks were required over spring break and well beyond, keeping countless people well, out of hospitals, and alive.  Judge allows Austin, Travis County mask mandate to continue, rejecting Texas AG Ken Paxton’s arguments  3/26/21  https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/03/26/austin-mask-mandate-continues-texas-ken-paxton-rejected/7011102002/

A recent study of the 50 states plus DC ranked Texas near the bottom (47 out of 51), as far as overall safety during Covid-19.  Here is how Texas ranked on the specific factors considered:

• 41st – Vaccination Rate
• 42nd – Positive Testing Rate
• 38th – Hospitalization Rate
• 45th – Death Rate
• 17th – Transmission Rate

Safest States During COVID-19  4/1/21  https://wallethub.com/edu/safest-states-during-covid/86567

Vaccinations–the safe path to herd immunity

Having met his original goal very early, Pres. Biden on March 25 doubled it to a new goal of 200 million shots in the first 100 days of his administration.

April 2 was a record-breaking day, with over 4 million shots administered!  More than 20 million shots were given last week.

To date, over one-third of American adults (more than 90 million people) have received at least 1 vaccine dose, and about 15% are FULLY vaccinated.  Over 140 million doses have been administered and we are averaging over 2.5 million shots per day.  At this pace, half of the nation’s population will have at least one dose by mid-May.

On March 29, Pres. Biden announced there would soon be a vaccine site located within 5 miles of 90% of Americans.

Almost all states have announced timelines for meeting the Biden administration’s directive that all adults be eligible for vaccination by May 1.  Several states have already opened up to universal eligibility.

In Texas, only 14% of the 29 million population has been fully vaccinated.  Just five states — Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and Utah — rank lower on per capita vaccinations, but Texas still opened up eligibility to EVERYONE age 16 & up, as of March 29.  This made 22 million more people eligible to join the battle for vaccine appointments.

In Travis County, about 13% the adult population is fully vaccinated, with 30% having gotten at least 1 shot.

Recent Covid articles I recommend….

–Protect your vaccine card—this article points out why it will be important down the road.  What You Need to Know About Your Vaccine Card  4/1/21 https://www.nytimes.com/article/covid-vaccine-card.html

–Important new info on herd immunity. It’s possible to reach herd immunity, then lose it. Repeatedly. Here’s what you can do to help prevent that from happening 3/31/21 https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/30/health/herd-immunity-covid-shifts/index.html

–This article has practical tips on pain relievers, alcohol, tattoos or dermal fillers, staying hydrated, and more.  What Not To Do When You Get A COVID-19 Vaccine  3/30/21 https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-not-to-do-covid-vaccine-shot_l_6061f129c5b66d30c746bc96

–This podcast has useful info on what to expect when getting the 1^st shot/2^nd shot, when people are fully protected AND what they can do then, vaccination progress nationwide, the 4^th vaccine coming, and much more. The Daily podcast discusses all things vaccination  3/25/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/25/podcasts/the-daily/coronavirus-vaccinations-joe-biden.html?rref=vanity

–Three experts respond to questions from readers about what they can do after getting vaccinated.  I Got My Covid Vaccine. Now Can I Hug My Mom?  3/19/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/19/opinion/covid-vaccine-guidelines.html

–For the first time in decades, vaccines are having a moment. Will it last?  3/15/21 https://www.statnews.com/2021/03/15/for-the-first-time-in-decades-vaccines-are-having-a-moment-will-it-last/

–Covid-19’s big public health lesson: Ask people to be careful, not perfect  3/15/21 https://www.vox.com/22315478/covid-19-coronavirus-harm-reduction-abstinence

On the national stage

In the 3 weeks since I posted a blog, there were THREE mass shootings in the US—Atlanta, Boulder and Los Angeles—with a total of 22 people dead.  As always, Republicans in Congress refuse to consider even the most basic gun safety legislation such as universal background checks, waiting periods, and banning assault weapons for personal use—despite overwhelming bipartisan support among the American public for these measures.  Gun safety is a federal issue, and Congress must act.

Georgia’s Republican-controlled legislature passed a package of laws restricting voting rights AND allowing state legislators to overturn election results they dislike.  Georgia’s 2020 election was reviewed repeatedly with no voter fraud found, and these blatantly racist laws are a direct result of Trump’s Big Lie.  (What Georgia’s Voting Law Really Does  4/2/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/02/us/politics/georgia-voting-law-annotated.html )  Worse, similar legislation is pending in several states across the country (including Texas, where voting is already restricted).  The right to vote is the core of democracy, and states cannot be allowed to run amok with restrictions designed to favor one party over another.  Voting rights is a federal issue; again, Congress must act.

If the Democrats cannot figure out how to use their majority control in the House and the Senate, while also holding the presidency, to enact meaningful reform on voter rights, gun safety and many other crucial issues, then our democracy is truly broken.

In Texas

Rep. Chip Roy joined the Bottom of the Barrel Bunch, swirling around with fellow-dregs Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick, AG Paxton, and Sen. Cruz—all Texas officials who shame the state and those Texans trying to live here with heads held high. 

Why?  Rep. Roy made these hateful comments at a March 18 Congressional hearing on—of all things–violence against Asian Americans: “We believe in justice. There’s old sayings in Texas about ‘find all the rope in Texas and get a tall oak tree.’  …You know, we take justice very seriously, and we ought to do that. Round up the bad guys. That’s what we believe. Hang ’em high,” he told the Statesman. Asked about the racial connotations of lynching for minorities in America, Roy said, “Yeah, so? It was a metaphor for justice.” Rep. Chip Roy calls Texas lynching an example of justice, then doubles down: ‘I meant it’  3/18/21 https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/2021/03/18/texas-congressman-chip-roy-invoke-lynching-causes-uproar/4756789001/

No, lynching is NOT a metaphor for justice. Lynching is a method of murder. Even in Texas. 

In Lakeway

Keep your dogs out of Lake Travis! 

LCRA received test results on March 23, 2021 showing toxicity from blue-green algae in algae samples taken from Lake Travis (as well as Inks Lake and Lake Marble Falls). This can be fatal to animals.

May 1 election

Lakeway elects a new mayor and 3 council members on May 1, 2021.  Early voting starts April 19.  Vote for ONE person for mayor, but vote for THREE people for council (of the 5 running, the top 3 vote-getters win seats). 

For obvious reasons, Lakeway’s ridiculous May elections always have very low voter turnout.  So, to help get the word out about this election and the candidates (3 of them brand new to local politics), I created 10 questions and sent them out to all the candidates.  The responses are on a new page on this website—Lakeway May 1 Election.  Click on that page in the Menu above or use this link—https://ninawriteorwronginlakeway.com/lakeway-may-1-election/

Follow up on Council’s March 15 meeting

Discussion of the proposed Cherry Knoll development PUD zoning change was markedly anemic.  Objections made from the dais and/or in citizens participation included increased traffic on Flint Rock (as well as safety concerns about likely pedestrian crossings), housing density, and lack of parking to serve the commercial area and make the public space viable.  Officials asked for completion dates on project phases, to be sure the amenities are completed promptly (unlike several OTHER Lakeway developments).  Concerns that the project was being pushed through in order to facilitate settlement of the developers’ lawsuit against the city (including a citizen complaint that ZAPCO’s prior review of the project was cursory, for that reason), resulted in the matter being tabled until the April 19 Council meeting.

Also, Council approved spending $17,000 for restoration work on the Liebelt Cabin, as well as asking Lakeway Civic Corporation for a grant covering the rest of the $54,000 in work needed at this time. 

Council meets on Monday, April 5, 6:30pm, online only.

The agenda includes a presentation of Main Street options by Stratus Properties (item 5).  This is the contested middle section of the much-needed and long-delayed road connecting to Lohmans that to date the developer of HEB and The Oaks has refused to build.  (It was recently revealed that the city failed back in 2015 to get an agreement signed regarding the particulars of the developer’s obligations for building the road section beyond HEB.  Nevertheless, the city passed an ordinance requiring Stratus to start construction in 2021 and complete the middle portion by 2023.)   Mayor Cox teased this presentation in a recent Facebook talk, but unfortunately the Meeting Packet has zero information, so there is no indication of what Stratus is proposing as far as road configuration or timeline.  By the way, this is an example of when citizen participation is a farce—how can anyone know if they agree or disagree or have something to say by the deadline of 3pm day of the meeting, when the whole thing is a secret?

The Flint Rock Road traffic study will be presented (item 6.)  Again, the Meeting Packet contains no information.

There is also a proposed budget amendment (item 8).  City Manager Oakley requests an across the board 2% staff salary increase, with the $180,000 needed to fund this stated to be available in city funds due to an increase in sales tax receipts.

I am hoping that the 3 newbie candidates for mayor/council will surface during Citizens Participation and introduce themselves to the community.

Go here for the Agenda and Meeting Packet— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

To send comments to Council beforehand and/or request to speak in person at the meeting (there is a 3pm deadline on the meeting date) about any agenda item, go here and create a Public Comment Form–https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

Go here to watch this Council meeting online (live or after the fact)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Back to me….

I got my first vaccine shot (Pfizer) in late March.  YIPPEE!

Our hummingbirds are back.  I put my feeder out last week and had customers hovering and sucking up breakfast the very next morning.

Our deer are still being elusive.  On the other hand, in 2020 the first photo of a newborn fawn parked in Lakeway was posted on Next Door on April 12.  Keep your eyes open!  In the meantime, here are some of my favorite 2020 photos—TWIN FAWNS.

Panda cub updates on Washington Zoo’s Xiao (AKA Biscuit):

–Xiao Qi Ji & Momma Show Us What Panda Love Is  3/15/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmmHlGCXc7Y

–Giant Panda Mei Xiang Xiao Qi Ji – Play time 3/16/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKm7ga5YKjI

–Xiao Qi Ji Working On Those Rolling and Sliding Skills! 03-20-21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53LvK0UCt6Y

–Xiao Qi Ji & Momma Have a Rip Roaring Fun Morning 4/1/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B48vlmRKU5k

Fun site with recordings of bird songs.  For a quick nature fix, go here and click on a bird in the image, and you’ll hear a short recording of its song.  Very interesting, and my 3 cats all love it.  https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mcvmagazine/bird_songs_interactive/index.html

HAPPY EASTER!!!

For anyone looking for my usual every-other-week blog to be posted today—not happening. 

One thing I do in my blog is highlight issues coming up in the upcoming week’s Lakeway Council meeting.  March has 5 Mondays and Council meets on the 1^st and 3^rd Mondays, so there is NO MEETING next week.  And, the Agenda for the April 5 meeting won’t be released until next Friday.  So, my next blog will be posted NEXT weekend.  (I am going to aim for Saturdays, though, instead of Sunday nights—we’ll see….)

Besides, I don’t have time to blog this weekend, being crazy busy watching the World Figure Skating Championships from Stockholm.  Like everyone else, of course….

3/30/21 UPDATE on Lakeway election info

Candidate questionnaire responses were posted today on a brand new page created for the May 1 election.  Check the Menu or click here–https://ninawriteorwronginlakeway.com/lakeway-may-1-election/

REMEMBER TO VOTE on May 1, or via early voting starting April 19.

Covid Vaccination update

I got my first COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer) last week.  Or, in Trekkie parlance—I can report a hull breach of the best kind.  I had to go to BSW in Marble Falls, but they were amazing, and it was well worth the trip.  IT IS SUCH A RELIEF TO KNOW THE END IS IN SIGHT!

Dear Daylight Savings Time,

I WANT MY HOUR BACK!

Also, if you stole an hour from MONDAY, no one would care. Also, why do ALL my kitchen appliances have clocks?

Sincerely,

Just another person struggling to re-set that weird clock in the den….

The Coronavirus

In the US

Positivity….  Optimism….  Trends in a good direction….  It took a full year, but things are looking up, according to most experts.  A year ago, Dr. Anthony Fauci said that “things will get worse before they get better.”  Looks like we are finally at the “getting better” part.

New cases are still falling—slower than desired, but definitely not surging.  Right now, we are just below last summer’s awful peak, so we really need that number to keep dropping.  Importantly, hospitalizations continue to plummet.  Warm weather is here or on the way, encouraging more activity outside where infections happen far less.

Things to worry about include the variants, spring break travel (more people flew on March 12 than on any day in a year), and the several reckless governors opening up states completely and removing mask rules too early.  (Gov. Abbott of Texas is a prime offender in that category; his pathetic need to cater to Trump by flipping off the Biden administration could cause a surge in Texas that delays the health and economic recovery we all want.)  Also, testing has dropped sharply nationwide; if we are not testing, then our data is unreliable.  Finally, Americans continue to die of Covid in droves–12,000 in the last week.  Their families certainly are not feeling optimistic now.

The American Rescue Plan (with strong bipartisan support among the public) was passed in the House and Senate thanks to heroic efforts by the Democrats–and despite every single Republican in Congress voting against helping families and the economy recover from Covid.  The President immediately signed it into law, and benefits are already rolling out.  This bill provides direct payments, extension of unemployment benefits, health insurance subsidies, business aid, school funding, Covid vaccination and testing aid, funding for state and local governments, and MUCH MORE to fight Covid, assist families and build back the economy.

President Biden’s March 11 address acknowledged a full year of hardships and tragedy.  As he said: “The past year was filled with the loss of life and the loss of living for all of us. … Over a year ago, no one could have imagined what we were about to go through, but now we’re coming through it.”  He went on to explain our current improving situation and offer a plan of action to get the nation in a place to celebrate July 4 safely with family and friends, declaring independence from Covid.  But, that goal can only be reached if we all work together.  We all need to get vaccinated, wear masks and take other precautions— and encourage everyone we know to do the same.  Biden Tells Nation There Is Hope After a Devastating Year  3/11/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/11/us/politics/biden-coronavirus.html

TEXAS continues best efforts to kill residents

As of March 12, Gov. Abbot dropped all Covid restrictions.  All businesses are fully open.  The mask mandate is rescinded.  (Yes, Abbott IS up for re-election in 2022.)  Gov. Greg Abbott ends statewide mask mandate, moves to open Texas 100%— actions at odds with health experts, federal officials  https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2021/03/02/texas-covid-restrictions-governor-greg-abbott-news-conference-today-lubbock/6885317002/

If he had to jump the gun and open businesses 100%, at least that helps struggling companies and would just be the usual political nonsense.  But, opening businesses makes masks MORE Important, to protect workers and to keep from spiking a surge and having to shut down all over again.  There is just NO upside to dropping masks, except to allow selfish and ignorant people to crow about their freedom to sicken and kill the rest of us.  Especially for essential workers (and everyone who now has to go back to work in suddenly opened up businesses and face an unmasked public), dropping the mask rule is a hazard.  We are a couple months away from everyone being vaccinated, so why increase risk now, when we are so close to the finish line?  The result could well be a Covid surge that would not only kill people, it would cause businesses to close again and further ravage our economy.  Clearly, Abbott is trying to look defiant after having to ask for federal funds to bail Texas out of the February power grid disaster.  And, as he struggles to build up GOP support for his 2022 re-election campaign, sabotaging the Biden administration’s request for masks during his first 100 days in office is a cheap way to cater to the Trump crowd.  Unfortunately for Texas, saving lives is NOT Abbott’s priority.  This image says it all….

Happily, local officials in Austin and Travis County are continuing their own mask mandate, despite the inevitable lawsuit by the state. The case won’t be heard for 2 weeks, and the district court ruled masks required in the interim.  Delay lets Austin, Travis County enforce mask mandates for now  3/12/21https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/03/12/austin-mask-mandate-travis-county-judge-lora-livingston-texas-ken-paxton/4663189001/

Vaccinations–the safe path to herd immunity

As of March 13, 14% of American adults have been fully vaccinated (up from 6% as of Feb. 28.)

The Biden administration originally set a goal of 100 million shots in its first 100 days in office. Projections have that goal being met on March 19–well over a month EARLY.  The pace of shots administered continues to ramp up, averaging well over 2 million per day.  The goal is to reach 3 million shots per day by the end of March.

Among the recent glut of good news was President Biden’s announcement that America will have enough vaccine stock on hand to vaccinate ALL adults, as of the end of May.  Accordingly, states have been instructed to make all adults eligible for shots by May 1, so everyone can get scheduled.  To assist in administering shots, the federal government will be recruiting medical personnel out of retirement, training volunteers, and sending FEMA staffers to the states, as needed.  Also, a federal database is being created, to ease registration and scheduling.

In addition, the U.S. has contracted to purchase an additional 100 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the summer.  That stock will be available to inoculate children, once the FDA approves it. In Texas, vaccination performance continues to underwhelm, ranking bottom of the barrel among the 50 states.  So far, just 5 million Texans have gotten a shot, with just over half that amount fully vaccinated.  Great–only 25 million Texans to go….  With countless people in the 1A and 1B groups still unable to get appointments, Texas opened availability to those 50 and older starting March 15.  (That’s me—yippee!)  Yet, Texas refuses to help essential workers get vaccinated.  (I’m sure Gov. Abbott has more campaign donors in their 50s than working in essential jobs, so the policy makes sense for him.)  Why does Texas rank near last in percentage of residents vaccinated against COVID-19?  3/14/21  https://www.statesman.com/story/news/coronavirus/2021/03/14/covid-vaccine-why-does-texas-rank-low-vaccination-rates/6943753002/

In Travis County, just under 100,000 people are fully vaccinated. City of Lakeway has a survey running, to see how many people in the Lake Travis area need a shot, in order to gauge demand for a local mass vaccination event.  That would likely be held at BSW Medical Center here in Lakeway.  Stay tuned….  Go here to take the quick survey—https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/laketravisvaccinationsurvey

Need help getting a vaccination appointment?  Check out this article–Flustered vaccine seekers in Central Texas turn to Kendra’s Covid Coaches to navigate appointment process  3/4/21https://www.statesman.com/story/lifestyle/2021/03/04/vaccine-seekers-turn-kendras-covid-coaches-navigate-appointment-process/6904656002/

Recent Covid articles I recommend….

—How America’s Covid Nightmare Ends  1 hour podcast. Dr. Ashish Jha joins Ezra Klein for an upbeat and informative discussion of our immediate future 3/12/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/12/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-ashish-jha.html

—One in three Americans has lost someone to Covid    3/6/21 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/obituaries/people-died-coronavirus-obituaries.html

—The short-term, middle-term, and long-term future of the coronavirus  3/4/21 https://www.statnews.com/2021/03/04/the-short-term-middle-term-and-long-term-future-of-the-coronavirus/

—How Close is the Pandemic’s End?  The Daily’s 30 minute podcast discusses reasons why the US has seen the 3^rd surge stall right now, detailing each of the variants, comparing Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine to the other 2 vaccines now in use, and prospects for actually taming Covid.  3/4/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/04/podcasts/the-daily/coronavirus-vaccines-variants.html?rref=vanity

—One and Done: Why People Are Eager for Johnson & Johnson’s Vaccine  3/4/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/04/health/covid-vaccine-johnson-and-johnson-rollout.html

—How to Protect Yourself Against Coronavirus Variants  3/3/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/03/opinion/contributors/protect-against-coronavirus-variants.html

—Here is how Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine differs from Pfizer’s and Moderna’s  2/28/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/28/us/jj-vaccine-pfizer-moderna-differences.html

On the national stage

Dare mighty things–update

Perseverance on Mars—testing the robot is going well.

In Texas

The week that Texas froze solid

Just an update on the Texas power grid disaster that killed over 100 people in February.  Adding insult—and fraud—to injury….  It turns out that ERCOT overcharged for energy during the storm, failing to lower rates as the storm abated and use dropped.  The result was $16 BILLION in excess charges to consumers.  In any other state, those excess charges would be refunded, as a matter of common decency and good business.  Not in Texas.  Nope—the Public Utility Commission decided that would be too difficult.  After all, everything is bigger in Texas—including utility bills during an emergency, and the fraud and corruption.

Regarding the Texas state legislature, the good news is that it is in session only 120 days every TWO years.  The bad news is that we are right in the middle of a session. Its hearings on the disaster have accomplished nothing other than public whining about how expensive it would be to harden the grid so that it functioned reliably in winter.  Most members of ERCOT and the Public Utilities Commission governing it have resigned, which gives cover to those really to blame.  Abbott will replace those people with others of the same ilk, and nothing will change.  The next big storm will be even worse, and more Texans will die than in 1989, 2011, and 2021, all because Republicans simply cannot be taught that climate change is real.

Also, of course, Ted Cruz is STILL a walking and smirking abomination.

Finally, Abbott’s pathetic performance as governor means that pretty much anyone (EXCEPT Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick) would be an improvement.  Possible challengers include actor Matthew McConaughey (no thank you–governing done well is not a hobby for dilettantes) and former US Representative Beto O’Rourke (yes, please—Texas needs at least ONE senior political leader it can be proud of).

Nothing will change UNTIL Texans vote for decent candidates and turn the state BLUE.

In Lakeway

Nothing is happening yet regarding Lakeway’s May 1 election, other than candidate signs sprouting up along major roads and in yards.  A candidate forum or two should be scheduled soon.

Council’s March 1 meeting was a snooze, as predicted.  Well, far as the public knows, anyway.  The secret executive session (on the police department, per the agenda) lasted 90 minutes–longer than the rest of the meeting combined.

Council meets on Monday, March 15, 6:30pm.  Online only.  The agenda includes 2 items from the storm-cancelled Feb. 16 meeting.  The most notable regards the proposed Cherry Knoll development on Flint Rock Road, item 7 this time.  Request is for a zoning change from the current R-1 and C-1 to creation of a Planned Unit Development.  Having settled a long-running lawsuit with the city, Developer Legacy DCS wants to build 126 detached single-family homes on 25 acres, with several variances.  This development is designed to serve the adjacent hospital complex, and the proposal is more in line with Lakeway’s usual requirements than the recent one for apartments.  But, nearby homeowners are objecting over density and traffic. In addition, in item 10, the historic and decrepit Liebelt Cabin is back under consideration.  At the Dec. 7, 2020, meeting, Council approved spending $14,000 for repairs.  (Note: the request then was for restoration work estimated at a shocking $125,000.)  Restoration work now suggested is estimated at $54,000, and it looks like they want to spend up to $17,000 in city funds and apply for local grant funding to cover the rest. 

Go here for the Agenda and Meeting Packet— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

To send comments to Council beforehand and/or request to speak in person at the meeting (there is a 3pm deadline on the meeting date) about any agenda item, go here and create a Public Comment Form–https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

Go here to watch this Council meeting online (live or after the fact)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Back to me….

What a difference a month makes!  Mid-February dumped 6” of snow on us, and now the fruit trees are blossoming all over Lakeway. 

My mom’s birthday was March 11.  She would have been 82.  I tell myself she would have hated living through Trump’s mad reign and the pandemic, but still….  Deanna Davis-Turner died July 3, 2016, from lung cancer, even though she stopped smoking cold-turkey back in 1993.  I’m sure there are worse ways to go, but struggling for every breath is right up there, especially since deep down she felt she did it to herself.  People think they can stop smoking “later” and it will be fine.  STOP NOW–and pray it saves your life.

Also, Peanut had her annual vet visit last week.  Guess what—even cats gain weight during Covid….

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Deer sightings have been few and far between lately, which happens this time of year.  Maybe they are off on spring break…..  I have been sorting my 2020 photos, so here are a few favorites—wee fawns this time.

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Panda cub update on Washington Zoo’s Xiao (AKA Biscuit):

Rolling and playing outside with Mom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNsg9dTsYyc

Romping indoors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2uMMqBkMN4

Having fun in the yard with Mom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nuc4FdlmNdc

Hard to believe, but my first blog was posted on March 15, 2020—so I have been doing this a year now.   Happy WordPress Anniversary, I guess!

The Coronavirus

America passed 500,000 Covid deaths on Feb. 22.  There are just no words….  But, for me anyway, this graphic of simple dots, one per death, captures the year-long progression of the pandemic and conveys the death rate in the US.  It started out ominous, quickly reached over-whelming, and then became devastating. On the Front Page, a Wall of Grief 2/21/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/21/insider/covid-500k-front-page.html

The Biden administration acknowledged the tragedy with a simple candle-light vigil at the White House.

That horrible milestone aside, there is a lot of good news on Covid.  The number of new cases has dropped significantly since the January peak of America’s third surge.  Hospitalizations have dropped, as well.  Nursing home deaths are sharply down, seemingly due to aggressive vaccination in that demographic.

Vaccinations–the safe path to herd immunity

Vaccinations in much of the US stalled last week due to the winter storm.  Shipments were delayed, sites shut down, and an uncertain number of doses spoiled.  (Texas has admitted to losing over 900 doses due to the storm.)  Still, we celebrated a nice milestone on Feb. 25—50 million doses administered since the Jan. 20 inauguration.  This puts the Biden administration well ahead of pace to reach its goal of 100 million doses in its first 100 days.  Now administering around 1.5 million shots per day, they are aiming for 3 million shots per day, and the vaccine supply should be able to accommodate that soon.  For one thing, the weekly vaccine supply to states of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will increase by one million doses, to 14.5 million.  Plus, the FDA has approved storage of Pfizer’s vaccine in standard freezers for up to 2 weeks, easing logistics.

In addition, on Feb. 27 the FDA granted emergency approval of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.  This means we will soon have a 1-dose option in the vaccine arsenal, as well as millions more doses on the way.  Some people are worried that the J&J vaccine allowed more asymptomatic and mild infections in its trial than the 2 existing vaccines did; experts point out that the comparison is flawed, since J&J’s trial was during a period when aggressive variants were present—something the first 2 vaccines did not encounter in their trials months earlier.  Importantly, the J&J vaccine eliminated both hospitalization and death in its clinical trial.  Which vaccine should you take?  The one you can get FIRST.  Here is a great article on this topic–Which Vaccine Should You Get?  2/26/21  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/26/opinion/us-covid-vaccines.html

In the US, about 6% of the population has been fully vaccinated.  A slightly larger group has gotten just 1 shot.

In Texas, about 1.5 million people have been fully vaccinated, with another 1.5 million getting the first shot.  (Texas has a population of nearly 30 million.)

In Travis County, about 60,000 people are fully vaccinated (5% of the population), with another 70,000 having gotten the first shot.   Also, a mass vax site will open soon at Circuit of the Americas.

In the US, polls now show 55% of people want to get vaccinated.  That number has steadily increased each month since December.  I suspect more and more people will opt for a shot as soon as they are eligible, as time passes and everyone sees that the vaccines are safe and in fact protect us from serious illness and death.

4^th wave coming

Experts warn that a fourth wave of infection may be on the way. 

Yes, new cases are down, but they have leveled off at a very high mark.  This is the case in America and worldwide.  Expert suggest it is due to the more contagious variants.

The variants are increasing, with a brand new one (B.1.52) identified and spreading rapidly in New York City.  That variant now represents about 30% of all cases there.

If Covid still has us on a yo-yo of recurring surges, we must stay vigilant to avoid spiraling up on another high arc of infection, hospitalization and death. The vaccines will help, but they are not enough—not yet.  So, we need to keep masking, distancing and taking all the other precautions.  Now is NOT the time to drop our guard—like certain states (likely including Texas as soon as next week, with our feeble governor frantic to bolster his re-election chances) are doing by revoking mask mandates and removing other Covid restrictions.  For more, check out this article–The Coronavirus Is Plotting a Comeback. Here’s Our Chance to Stop It for Good https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/25/health/coronavirus-united-states.html

After just one year, Covid is completely enmeshed in our lives.  The vaccines and the ongoing vaccination process in America are center-stage.  Proof of that is something that took awhile to jump out to me as odd.  I’m talking about all the media accounts of the winter storm that brought Texas to its knees.  They all discussed how the power went out, water pipes froze and often burst, roads were closed, countless people suffered, and many died.  And, then, something like this was mentioned—“Vaccine distribution was halted.”  A year ago, even just 3 months ago, that simple sentence did not exist.  Nor did all the hope standing behind that sentence, that we are finally on the way to defeating Covid and reclaiming a version of normalcy. 

Recent Covid articles I recommend…. (in addition to the 3 above)

—Death, Through a Nurse’s Eyes  2/24/21 This 15-minute film offers a firsthand perspective of the brutality of the pandemic inside a Covid-19 I.C.U.  (Be sure to send this to anyone you know who still minimizes Covid, thinks vaccines are unimportant, or refuses to mask.) https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000007578176/covid-icu-nurses-arizona.html

—What Dr. Fauci is, and is not doing, now that he’s fully vaccinated for Covid  2/23/21 https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/23/what-dr-fauci-can-do-now-that-he-is-fully-vaccinated-against-covid.html

—Dr. Fauci on 500,000 American deaths and much more 2/21/21 https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/21/fauci-500-000-covid-deaths-terrible-470556

—Children and Covid—When will kids get vaccinated? 25-minute podcast with transcript 2/19/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/19/podcasts/the-daily/coronavirus-pandemic-children-vaccinations.html?rref=vanity

—How to Buy a Real N95 Mask Online  2/17/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/17/technology/personaltech/buy-real-n95-mask.html

—Plan Your Vaccine  Everything you need to know about getting a Covid-19 vaccination as the rollout extends across the U.S.  2/17/21 www.planyourvaccine.com

—Covid-Linked Syndrome in Children Is Growing and Cases Are More Severe  2/16/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/16/health/covid-children-inflammatory-syndrome.html

—7 Myths About the Coronavirus Vaccine  2/13/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/13/opinion/covid-vaccine-safe.html

On the national stage

Dare mighty things

On Feb. 18, NASA landed a sophisticated rover on Mars.  It was flawless!  Perseverance is the size of a car, and it brought along a mini-helicopter, Ingenuity. 

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Go here for a 3-minute video of the landing–https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap210223.html

Keep in mind a hidden message that NASA engineers put onto the descent parachute of the Perseverance rover. The colors on the chute panels were a binary code that translates into “Dare mighty things.”

Texas froze solid

Sure, we can land a robot on Mars, but we cannot keep the lights on in Texas–the energy-production capitol of the world.

Just like happened in 1989 and again in 2011, when a severe winter storm hit earlier this month, the state’s power grid failed, and millions of Texans were without power—not for just a few hours or a day but for as long as 4 days and 4 nights.  This happened while temperatures plunged as low as 6 degrees and remained well under freezing for a week.  So, pipes froze, and often burst, creating additional pain, damage and peril.  Also, water treatment plants went offline due to power loss, rendering water unsafe to drink; many Texans had to boil water or rely on donated bottled water for up to a week.  The death toll is still uncertain, but it is likely around 100 people, more than died in Hurricane Harvey.

Even worse than what happened is what ALMOST happened.  ERCOT (the ironically named Energy Reliability Council of Texas) insists that if it had not implemented the pervasive and long-term blackouts, the entire state grid would have collapsed.  That would have resulted in severe systems damage state-wide that would have taken weeks to months to repair, before power was restored.  That horror show was narrowly averted, with just 3-4 minutes leeway, if ERCOT is to be believed.

This all happened because Texas manages a privately operated power grid, isolated from any other state.  As a result, there is no way to import additional power when needed.  No other state in the country goes it alone.  Texas likes it that way, because it allows avoidance of pesky federal regulation that comes with an interstate power grid. 

Crucially, ERCOT is controlled by Texas officials.  Despite the lessons of 2 recent catastrophic winter storms, these officials failed to demand a power reserve.  They failed to require the system to be hardened to withstand frigid temperatures.  They failed to stop energy providers from price-gouging consumers with variable-rate plans.  Instead, Texas officials continue to allow Texas to be at risk for catastrophic power grid collapse.

For more, check out this article–Texas Is a Rich State in a Rich Country, and Look What Happened  2/25/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/25/opinion/texas-climate-change.html

Texans froze, Ted fled

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Ted Cruz is the most hated man in the Senate, and that goes back YEARS.  In a typical move for him, Cruz opposed federal relief for Hurricane Sandy, arguing the east coast should take care of itself.  (Of course, he flip-flopped when Hurricane Harvey decimated Texas.)  Just recently, he managed to outdo his blatant support of Trump’s deadly insurrection by abandoning his suffering constituents (and his dog, Snowflake, left behind inside the “freezing” Cruz home in Houston) during the winter storm, jetting off to sunny Cancun.

Cruz epitomizes the worst in politics and human nature.  He doesn’t speak, he shouts insults.  He doesn’t legislate, he grifts.  He doesn’t help organize relief for constituents, he skips town.  (And, when he was shamed into returning early from Mexico, Cruz failed to quarantine for 7-10 days as required by the CDC after international travel.  Instead, he immediately showed up and posed for photos at a water give-away that others had organized.) 

His nicknames are “Lucifer in the flesh” and “Satan’s spawn.”  Frequent comments about him:

–“There are 2 kinds of people: People who hate Ted Cruz.  And Ted Cruz.” 

–“So, why is it that people take such an instant dislike to this guy?  Because it saves time.” 

— “If you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody would convict you.”  (That one is from his fellow Republican, Sen. Lindsey Graham.)

So, two things. 1) Why does this foul excuse for a human being represent Texas in the US Senate?  There are better choices than this strutting sneer.  Time to VOTE HIM OUT!  Right now, his approval rate is 25%.  He is up for re-election in 2024, but we need to get started.  2) Not only do people hate Ted Cruz on a major scale, but his foul public behavior and slimy rhetoric make people far and wide HATE TEXAS.  We really don’t need that.  Decent officials not only improve life for their constituents on a day-to-day basis, but they represent us well on the national level.  Again—VOTE TED CRUZ OUT.  Preferably with a Democrat, but at this point I’d take pretty much anyone with a moral compass.

In Lakeway

To follow up on local issues from last time….

Regarding the May 1 local election, we will elect a new mayor.  Candidates are Tom Kilgore and Alain Babin.  Also, we will elect 3 Council members.  Seven people originally filed to run, but 2 dropped out.  Candidates are: incumbent Sanjeev Kumar, incumbent Gretchen Vance, former member Keith Trecker, Kelly Brynteson, and Steven Clark.  Need full info on all Lakeway election matters?  Go here—https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/427/Election-Information

Council meets on Monday, March 1, 6:30pm.  This is an ONLINE meeting.  The Agenda is NOT a re-do of the Feb. 16 meeting that was cancelled due to the storm.  (Look for the Cherry Knoll re-zoning issue to pop back up later in March.)  Instead, items are largely house-keeping matters.  At least, nothing pings my radar….   Go here for the Agenda and Meeting Packet— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

To send comments to Council beforehand and/or request to speak in person at the meeting (there is a 3pm deadline on the meeting date) about any agenda item, go here and create a Public Comment Form–https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

Go here to watch this Council meeting online (live or after the fact)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Back to me….

I was SO lucky with the storm—never lost power, no frozen pipes, no tree damage, and even my internet was up and running.  Truly, the cats and I were blessed!  But, it was amazing what iced over and stayed that way; my garbage bins froze shut, and the metal gate to my backyard was frozen in place for a few days.  I patrolled my yard twice daily, filling the birdfeeders and knocking snow and ice off everything I could reach with my trusty broom.  (Gotta buy a shovel….) 

Just another unprecedented event, I guess.  After 2020 and the early part of 2021, I am REALLY sick of living through all that word entails. 

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Our deer made it through the storm!  After being stuck at home, I really enjoyed my morning walks recently, and the deer seemed happy to be out and about, as well.

Panda cub update:

Xiao (AKA Biscuit) turned 6 months old last week.  Apparently, that’s when baby pandas get to go play outside.  As the first 2 short videos below show, Biscuit really loves that!

–Xiao Qi Ji’s Wonderful Morning Outside https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odAWfS6c52A

–Adventure Awaits! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLoyN4gUkq4

–First Taste of Applesauce https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btsx9CuinxQ

So, March….  Wonder what “unprecedented” insanity this month will bring?

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Here’s something even Democrats and Republicans can agree on—chocolate is GOOD!

The Coronavirus

Nationally

Most signs point to the pandemic, once again, being in retreat.  With national new cases in the 100,000 per day range instead of twice that like in January, new case counts are dropping in nearly every state.  So are hospitalizations; instead of 130,000 Covid patients, current hospitalizations are down to 75,000.  Deaths are still high; a record was set on Feb. 12, with 5,344 Americans reported dead that day alone.  Hard to believe, but we are close to half a million Americans dead of Covid.

Experts continue to caution about the spread in the US of several worrisome variants, which could quickly reverse the current hopeful trends.  The UK variant is expected to be dominant in the US by March, and it seems to be more contagious and more deadly.  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/13/world/europe/covid-uk-variant-deadlier.html  This is obviously not the end of COVID-19, and it is crucial to continue precautions. 

Vaccinations–the safe path to herd immunity– are speeding along nicely.  Recently, the 7-day average exceeded 1.5 million shots administered per day–3 times the activity in January.  (Unfortunately, the current winter storm conditions in a large part of the country will slow things down temporarily.)  To date, over 50 million shots are reported administered in the US.

And, the forecast is even rosier, due to the Biden administration recently securing another 200 million doses total from Pfizer and Moderna, to be delivered by summer.  https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/11/white-house-200-million-more-covid-vaccine-doses-.html

Plus, Johnson and Johnson’s one-dose vaccine should be approved for emergency use later this month, providing another option.

In fact, all this good news allowed Dr. Fauci to predict that ALL AMERICAN ADULTS will able to get vaccinated very soon:  “I would imagine by the time we get to April, that will be what I would call, for better wording, ‘open season.’  Namely, virtually everybody and anybody in any category could start to get vaccinated.”  I am REALLY looking forward to “open season” if it means I can get vaccinated.  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/11/us/fauci-covid-vaccine-april.html

Texas

Cases and hospitalizations are dropping.  Over 40,000 Texans are now dead from Covid, but the daily death rate is starting to decrease.

Vaccinations are going local, with small stocks of doses distributed to local pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens and HEB, throughout the state.  (I am thrilled, because that is definitely where I want to be vaccinated, as soon as I’m eligible.)

Nearly 3 million shots have been administered in the state, with over 1 million Texans now fully vaccinated.  (Just 28 million Texans to go….)

Travis County has given over 130,000 shots, with over 45,000 people fully vaccinated.  The Austin Convention Center is still being used for Covid patient overflow.

Recent Covid articles I recommend….

—US could have averted 40% of Covid deaths, says Lancet panel examining Trump’s policies  2/11/21 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/10/us-coronavirus-response-donald-trump-health-policy

—What CDC found about wearing 2 masks  2/10/21 https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/masks-cdc-study-finds/story?id=75789183

—Fauci looking ahead to more vaccines in March, April  2/7/21 https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/07/fauci-vaccines-march-april-466776

—In Line for Vaccination, and Not Getting Younger  2/5/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/05/health/coronavirus-vaccination-elderly.html

—The Coronavirus Is a Master of Mixing Its Genome, Worrying Scientists  2/5/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/05/health/covid-variants-genome-recombination.html

—A Rocky Road On The Way To Herd Immunity For COVID-19  2/3/21 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/02/03/963373971/a-rocky-road-on-the-way-to-herd-immunity-for-covid-19

—The Pandemic Is Heading Toward a Strange In-Between Time  2/2/21 https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/02/will-there-be-another-surge-spring-mystery/617900/

On the national stage

The impeachment trial resulted in 57 of 100 senators voting to convict Trump of incitement of insurrection, including 7 Republicans.   Unfortunately, that was 10 short of the required 2/3 super-majority.  Cowards abound in the GOP….  Without Trump, the horrors of Jan. 6 would NOT have happened.  Period.  History will damn him, along with all his craven enablers.  In the meantime, various criminal court cases will be keeping Trump on edge.

Speaking of tyrants, here’s a book recommendation: On Tyranny—Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, by Timothy Snyder (2017).  This tiny book (smaller than my hand and only 125 pages) has HUGE insight into our times, plus practical advice on navigating our political reality—and maybe even changing it.   Lake Travis Community Library has 2 copies of the paperback version.  Amazon sells it in multiple formats.

In Lakeway

To follow up on local issues from last time….

May 1 Lakeway election

Election Day is May 1, but early voting starts April 19.  (If you want to vote by mail, you must apply by April 20, but earlier is better.)

We will elect a new mayor.  Candidates are Tom Kilgore and Alain Babin.

We will elect 3 Council members.  Seven people are running–Kelly Brynteson, Kelley Dinderman, Jessica Howard, Sanjeev Kumar, Steven Clark, Keith Trecker, and Gretchen Vance.

Need full info on all Lakeway election matters?  Go here—https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/427/Election-Information

Feb. 1 Council meeting

Council voted unanimously to approve the new Rough Hollow development agreement, with its many terms favorable to the developer, Legends.  As demanded, they get 2 very lucrative items–additional condos (generally discouraged in Lakeway) plus a storage facility (something Lakeway has refused to allow anywhere else in town for many years now).  The advantages to Lakeway under the new agreement are nebulous, at best. Still, it was obvious this new agreement would be approved; the discussion allowed was just window-dressing.  Until Lakeway’s ethics rules prohibit officials from lobbying for and voting on issues concerning those who made campaign contributions to them, our government will be shadowed by far more than the mere appearance of impropriety.

Another item of note was discussion of a Main Street Plan.  A consultant lectured on the benefits of the city creating a Public Improvement District (PID) in order to treat as one entity the balance of the road to be built, which runs across land owned by 2 developers (Legends and Stratus).  The PID would raise bond funds needed to finance the project, with the developers supposedly on the hook to pay that off—not taxpayers.  So, Stratus is clearly still NOT on board to start building its segment of Main Street this year as the city has mandated. Go here to watch the Feb. 1 Council meeting online– https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/112357

Council has its next meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 6:30pm.

This is an ONLINE meeting.  Go here for the Agenda and Meeting Packet— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

The most interesting item is #11, the proposed Cherry Knoll development on Flint Rock Road, involving a zoning change from the current R-1 and C-1 to creation of a Planned Unit Development (PUD).  Having settled a long-running lawsuit with the city, developers want to build 126 detached single-family homes on 25 acres, with several variances.  This development is designed to serve the adjacent hospital complex, and the proposal is more in line with Lakeway’s usual requirements than the recent one for apartments.  But, nearby homeowners are objecting over density and traffic.

To send comments to Council beforehand and/or request to speak in person at the meeting (there is a 3pm deadline on the meeting date) about any agenda item, go here and create a Public Comment Form–https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

Go here to watch this Council meeting online (live or after the fact)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Back to me….

I zipped out to Walmart early last week for necessities.  Coming home, the odometer on the Civic I bought last June hit 500 miles just as I glided into my garage.  Thanks to Covid, it is still on the second tank of gas.

Now, I’m trying to stay warm and keep my feeders filled for the hungry birds.  Also, hoping my trees hold up under all the ice, my skylight survives intact, the power stays on, and no pipes break….

The deer did not show up my walks lately, so I’ll continue looking back at the best photos from 2020—does and their young fawns this time.

Panda cub update:

Sweet cuddles–https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DlXgFfJ6n0

Sometimes, Mama doesn’t share–https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l65llwYV20Y

The Coronavirus

Worldwide, we passed 100 million cases as of Jan. 25.

In the US, January was the deadliest month, so far, in the pandemic.  In the past couple weeks, new case and hospitalization numbers in most states started trending downward.  Some states are back to levels reported in November—still too high but reduced from December/January.  But, the death rate remains 3,000-4,000 per day.

The nation finally had an opportunity to mourn, just before the presidential inauguration, when the death toll stood at 411,000 Americans. COVID-19 Memorial Ceremony at Lincoln Memorial–2 minute video 1/19/21 https://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2021/jan/19/biden-and-harris-hold-vigil-for-400000-covid-19-dead-as-bells-toll-across-us-video

Texas surpassed 2 million confirmed COVID-19 cases Jan. 27, just two and a half months after reaching 1 million. The state also added a record 467 fatalities to the virus death toll that day, but that record fell on Jan. 28, with 471 deaths.

Travis County is still reporting out of control new cases, but hospitalizations have dropped.  As of Jan. 30, per Gov. Abbott’s misguided rule, area businesses and restaurants returned to 75% occupancy, and elective medical procedures recommenced.  Experts warn this guarantees resurgence, as Texas continues its deadly roller coaster ride with Covid.

Some experts think the US is in the very early stages of herd immunity.  They assume about 100 million Americans have actually had the virus; for every person testing positive, three more likely had it without being diagnosed, studies suggest. Another 24 million people have received a vaccine shot. That means 1/3 of the population has some degree of immunity from the virus, which could be enough to begin slowing the spread.  Still a long way to go to get the needed 75-85% of the population immune, and that ignores the mutants….

Covid has, as predicted, mutated.  The mutated viruses seem to be more contagious and possibly more deadly than the original.  Several variants have been identified, and all have been found in the US. 

Vaccinations, the safe path to herd immunity, are still a mess, pretty much everywhere.  States complain they don’t get enough doses, but most can’t seem to handle what they do get.  In its first week in office, the Biden administration arranged for an additional 16% weekly distribution to the states, as well as committing to provide delivery info to states 3 weeks in advance, to aid scheduling.  Also, the federal government has secured 300 million additional doses, to arrive in summer.  The Biden administration is solving, one by one, the many logistical problems previously neglected. 

As of now, Texas has reportedly received over 3 million doses but only administered about 2 million shots.  The state announced in December that everyone 65 and up or with special conditions is eligible for vaccination, expanding the initial eligible group to over 8 million Texans.  Unfortunately, the state did not bother to 1) first vaccinate health care workers and senior care residents; 2) make it clear that Texas would not have sufficient vaccine—16 million doses–for all these people FOR MANY MONTHS; or 3) create a central registration/reservation network for shots to be arranged.  As a result, “eligible” Texans who can’t arrange a shot are confused, frustrated, outraged and panicked; overall, it is demoralizing.  I hope that by the time I am eligible, things are running much more smoothly.

As far as NEW vaccines, there was bad news and pretty good news lately.  Both of the Merck vaccines failed early testing and have been cancelled.  Novavax says its data won’t be ready until March.

Johnson & Johnson just released preliminary results showing the vaccine was 72% effective in US clinical trials. In South Africa, where the worst of the variants so far known is common, the efficacy rate dropped to 57%.  BUT, the vaccine prevented severe illness in 85% of cases overall, and there were NO reported deaths.  Experts say that more than compensates for any deficiencies compared to the 2 vaccines approved so far.  BONUS—the Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires ONE SHOT and standard refrigeration, doses will be cheap, and the manufacturer is a major player able to produce the vaccine quickly and in bulk.  All of this adds up to a very practical and useful option for the US and elsewhere. 

Human decency aside, the rapid development of mutant viruses demonstrates that the ENTIRE WORLD must be vaccinated in order to defeat Covid here at home.  Otherwise, the virus will mutate wherever it runs rampant, the mutations will be less susceptible to our vaccines, and everyone becomes vulnerable all over again.  Happily, President Biden is having America join COVAX, as well as support the WHO’s international vaccination programs. More and more epidemiologists warn that an upcoming surge is coming in the next few weeks, eclipsing anything seen so far, due to the mutant viruses that we are just starting to see and understand.  The best protection is widespread vaccination.  Since limited doses are now available, we may have to postpone the recommended second doses, in order to get more people protected as soon as possible.  (Additional shots can be administered down the road, and by then the vaccines may well be adjusted to fight a broader range of viruses.)  This is something the CDC and Biden administration have resisted, but recent developments may change that very soon.  See this Jan. 29 interview of Michael Osterholm, a Biden advisor, for the rationale: Osterholm on COVID variants: We need to understand what’s coming 1/29/21 https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/01/29/osterholm-on-covid-variants-we-need-to-understand-whats-coming

Recent Covid articles I recommend….

–Dr. Fauci unleashed is a very good thing! Fauci on What Working for Trump Was Really Like  1/24/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/24/health/fauci-trump-covid.html Banished by Trump but Brought Back by Biden, Fauci Aims to ‘Let the Science Speak’  1/21/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/21/us/politics/fauci-trump-biden-coronavirus.html

–Amazing compilation of info on all things vaccine, in Q&A form.  Save this link; if you don’t need this info now, you will later. Answers to All Your Questions About Getting Vaccinated for Covid-19  1/27/21 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/well/covid-vaccine-questions.html

–Great, now we have mutants to worry about…. Worrisome New Coronavirus Strains Are Emerging. Why Now?  1/27/21 https://www.wired.com/story/worrisome-new-coronavirus-strains-are-emerging-why-now/?fbclid=IwAR1T_dC3tCINy8n_cPkIR5eBHMI-Qt3ZwmfcjeKiA-ifwEGqoGBsCHYw75E

–I love a good podcast, and here are 2 EXCELLENT ones! The Daily podcast has the excellent Donald McNeil clearly explain the current Covid stats today (trend in new cases/hospitalizations/deaths, plus the several mutations, vaccine issues, etc.), in 25 minutes.  1/27/21  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/27/podcasts/the-daily/coronavirus-cases-testing-variants-vaccine.html?rref=vanity NYT’s Ezra Klein podcast interviews Dr. Vivek Murthy: “The Man with a Plan to Beat the Pandemic.”  Dr. Murthy is Pres. Biden’s nominee for Surgeon General, as well as co-chair of the Biden administration’s coronavirus task force.  90 minutes.  (There is a transcript link, to just read it, if desired.)  1/26/21  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/26/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-vivek-murthy.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20210126&instance_id=26410&nl=the-morning&regi_id=122311001&segment_id=50262&te=1&user_id=85e9340cba19164d75f3915211a487be

On the national stage

Jan. 20 Inauguration

It was a hard-won battle, and that made the swearing-in of Biden-Harris all the better.  What a relief.…  Being able to breathe freely again.  Feeling safe again.  Having hope again.  Competent, compassionate adults are in charge again.  Truth is told, experts are respected, intelligence is valued, morals matter again.  After four years of hell, America is back.

I think ALL inaugurations should be virtual.  It felt like the entire country was experiencing it together, online and via TV, from the morning swearing-in all the way through to the star-studded nationwide evening gala—all beautifully done and a joy to watch.

Impeachment

The trial begins Feb. 8.  Over the weekend, Trump’s several attorneys all resigned.  (Good for them, and I bet there is an interesting story there….)  Wonder if Trump will have to go with Drippy Rudy after all?  Maybe Trump will represent himself, spewing out all those unused Twitter posts he has been holding in for weeks now.  Or just leave the country before certain state lawsuits against him get even uglier.

Trump and his MAGA rioters must pay for what they did to our Capitol, and by extension to our entire country.  Due to the continuing threats of violence from Trump supporters, the war-like fencing will remain indefinitely.  Our sacred places may be safer, but they are also changed forever in a very ugly way.  THAT is Trump’s legacy.

Brian Sicknick, the Capitol Police Officer who Trump’s mob beat to death on the Capitol steps, will lie in honor in the Rotunda next week.  Maybe that will help Republicans in the Senate to put aside their ambitious self-interest and find the honor to stand up for America. 

In Lakeway

Updates

To follow up on local issues from last time….

— Everyone’s favorite shortcut was miraculously restored!  The parking lot gates opened up just as suddenly as they had been locked.  Also, Stratus appealed to Board of Adjustments the requirement to extend Main Street by 2023, but then cancelled the hearing at the last minute.  Hmmmm….

—GOOD news for our deer!  The Jan. 19 Council meeting was shocking.  In a GOOD way. 

Remember, last year this time, Council followed the recommendation of the Wildlife Advisory Committee (WAC) and voted to return to culling (via TTT), even though the most recent survey then showed the herd slightly decreasing in size.  (They were only stymied in doing so because the city waited too long to get going as far as state permitting and hiring a trapper.)

This time, the wildlife biologist (who has performed all 4 annual surveys) explained the Nov. 2020 results.  He counted 15 more deer than in 2019, during the 27 miles driven, which is negligible. The biologist noted that over 4 years, there has been no real difference at all.  He stated that there was no need for the city to take any action against the deer.  Importantly, he noted the herd is “fat and happy,” definitely not starving or sick.  When asked if continued lack of culling would result in a dramatic herd increase, he said no; he thinks the numbers are likely to decrease.  Further, when asked what would happen if the city DID remove a large number of deer, he said that because Lakeway lacks boundaries, other deer from outside the area would move into Lakeway to exploit the freed-up resources. 

This last point is critical, as it exposes the futility and fiscal irresponsibility of culling, which Lakeway did for nearly 2 decades, mindlessly trapping and killing deer every season, only to have new animals replace them—to be killed next time, on and on.  This was explained in 2019 at a WAC meeting by urban wildlife biologist Laura Simon when she made an excellent presentation on humane and sensible methods of dealing with deer.  She was ignored and berated by a majority of WAC members, as all were who tried to make suggestions OTHER than killing deer.  Importantly, these bullies do NOT include the 2 WAC members at the Jan. 19 Council meeting, data guru Ted Windecker and interim chair Pam Bunn.  In addition, the mayor stated that “2 more members” recently resigned from WAC, and the committee lacks quorum to meet.

Finally, Council discussed city stats on deer encounters.  Preliminary data shows an increase in carcasses/collisions in 2020.  They asked for more details, including the locations, whether fawns or adults, and whether due to vehicles or predators. 

So, the good news is that there seems to be no interest in returning to culling our deer.  (This could change at any time; a year ago, these same officials voted to cull when the survey showed fewer deer than now.)  Annual surveys will continue.  WAC needs to be properly staffed; in addition to deer, Lakeway has MANY other wildlife issues they should be handling.  Negative deer encounters are being monitored and investigated.  If anything needs to be addressed, I hope they refer to Laura Simon’s Humane Society plan for urban deer management and use any available funds for public education and solutions on living with our wildlife.

Go here to watch the Jan. 19 Council meeting online (click on item 10 for the deer) https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Here is a great article covering this issue: Lakeway revisits controversial deer management program  1/22/21 https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/lake-travis-view/2021/01/22/lakeway-city-council-has-first-discussion-its-deer-management-program-year/6663575002/

Council has its next meeting on Monday, Feb. 1, 6:30pm. 

This is an ONLINE meeting.  Lots going on. Go here for the Agenda and Meeting Packet— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

Agenda item 10 is re-authorization of a road maintenance tax.  This should be routine, funding annual road maintenance.  However, it is possible it is something more—such as funding for the city to build the Main Street extension while Stratus delays and/or sues.  (The Meeting Packet has the fiscal data copied from the previous item, in error.)

Agenda item 14 is Report on the Main Street Plan.  Hmmmm….

Agenda item 13 is the new Rough Hollow development agreement—likely the last review with Council voting yes or no.  (For anyone trying to find info in the 400 page meeting packet, scroll down to page 331 for this item.)

This matter was handled very oddly at the last 2 meetings.  There was little or no review of each change and discussion of the pros and cons, as happens with similar issues.  Since the proposed agreement is taking the place of about 10 previous ones, dating back to 1997, it is not reasonable or even possible for residents to do this on our own.  Why isn’t this being done on the dais?  We were told the new agreement would simplify and clarify the requirements for Legends to finish development in Rough Hollow in the next few years.  We were also told that water quality protections would be increased; I don’t know if that is accurate.  We were told that more trees would be protected; I don’t know if that is accurate. 

We were told that in some cases Legends would be required to follow CURRENT building ordinances, as opposed to the 1997 ordinances they have been able to follow up to now; I don’t know if that is accurate—and I certainly don’t know what variances are being allowed, so that Legends gets to KEEP the benefits of long-gone lesser standards.  For instance, I think Legends should have to follow the 2019 ordinance requiring flat-topped fencing, for the safety of people and wildlife.  In 2020, Legends installed extensive open picket metal fencing over the many retaining walls running through The Vineyards (near Lupine School); this was allowed because it was approved in the agreements many years earlier.  While there are not that many deer in Rough Hollow, there are a lot of children, who climb retaining walls and fences, so this is a major safety concern.

Overall, it feels like things are being hidden, and that is particularly true as to park land requirements in the original agreement that Legends never bothered to fulfill.  What happened to the sports fields?  Instead of the promised water access park, the new agreement provides a water view area—that is not the same at all!  Plus, the new agreement would let Legends build a ton of extra condos AND a storage facility, even though Lakeway is generally condo-averse and has disallowed storage facilities for years now.  

The storage facility in particular seems like a serious negative.  Importantly, this facility has been touted all along as for luxury car and wine storage.  But, that is NOT what the agreement says. The language is this: “Provide for luxury car suites and/or wine storage or other generally accepted climate-controlled storage uses.”  OR OTHER GENERALLY ACCEPTED CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE USES.  Around here, nearly all storage facilities are climate controlled, which basically means AC so stuff doesn’t melt in the summer.  ANYTHING can be stored.  This amounts to no real restrictions on use of this facility.  There seems to be this idea that Rough Hollow residents need to store their high-end toys.  Well, maybe.  But this facility would not be restricted to Rough Hollow owners.  It would draw customers—and traffic—from up and down HWY 71.  Surely, if some Rough Hollow residents need storage, they can find it already built nearby on 71.  I once managed an area storage facility–not for long, as quite frankly I could not stomach it.  While things mostly ran smoothly during the day, nights were a very different story.  Certain units were highly trafficked at night.  (Just sweeping up the parking lot in the mornings was … educational.  And sometimes a biohazard.)  Also, some units were used as sales venues for the stored items.  The contents being stored and sold seemed, in many cases, dubious at best.  Despite rules to the contrary, there is every chance that customers would store fireworks, guns, exotic animals, drugs, etc.—and arrange sales on site, as well.  All this would be a serious negative for any residential area.

 Finally, when residents complained at the last meeting about the new agreement’s lax water quality assurances, a Council member dismissively stated the point of the agreement was to streamline and clean up the jumble of past agreements, NOT to make major changes.  Really?  Then, why is Legends able to make major changes to its decided benefit—such as building many more condos and the storage facility, both highly lucrative to the developer?

I’m submitting comments for the meeting, and I encourage anyone else with concerns to do so as well.

To send comments to Council beforehand and/or request to speak in person at the meeting (there is a 3pm deadline on the meeting date) about any agenda item, go here and create a Public Comment Form–https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

Go here to watch this Council meeting online (live or after the fact)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

May 1 Lakeway election

Just what we need—another election….  Since Lakeway insists on electing officials in May, we will be voting for mayor and 3 council seats (those now held by council members Vance, Kumar and Howell).  Election Day is May 1, but early voting starts April 19.  (If you want to vote by mail, you must apply by April 20, but earlier is better.)

To run for one of the vacancies, file an application at City Hall by Feb. 12.  Fresh blood is definitely needed….

Want to see who has already filed to run?  Need full info on all Lakeway election matters?  Go here—https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/427/Election-Information

Back to me….

I’m staying home more than ever now and double-masking if I must go out in public.  I work full-time from home anyway, so I’m busy enough.  Still, curbside pick-up of books and DVDs at Lake Travis Community Library is a godsend!  And, I always have projects to tackle; this weekend, I reorganized my kitchen and laundry room.  Plus, my 3 kitty girls keep me happy and sane.  Well…. sane-adjacent. 

As tends to happen this time of year, the deer have been few and far between lately.  Many mornings, I saw NONE on my walks, and my camera has gone unused.  So, to celebrate their apparent safety from culling for another year, I will add a few of my favorite deer photos from 2020—bucks only this time. (Bucks are the BEST subjects—unlike timid does and skittish fawns, bucks have no fear and often seem to preen for the camera.)

Panda cub updates:

–Cubbie munches on bamboo for the first time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVBGiUD9bjk&list=PL9S_88he0gqqLkfnxLssmDjgOi5UJjAQW&index=1

–Cubbie gets a sweet treat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaqpeUmvg5M&list=PL9S_88he0gqqLkfnxLssmDjgOi5UJjAQW&index=4

Bye-bye, January!  Thanks for a safe inauguration and the good deer news, but the rest—not so much.

Recent articles I recommend….

—One Year, 400,000 Coronavirus Deaths: How the U.S. Guaranteed Its Own Failure  1/17/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/17/us/covid-deaths-2020.html

—C.D.C. Warns the New Virus Variant Could Fuel Huge Spikes in Covid-19 Cases  1/15/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/15/health/covid-cdc-variant.html

—How Much COVID-19 You’re Exposed To Matters. Here’s How To Reduce It.   1/15/21 https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-much-covid-exposed-matters_l_5ffef16cc5b6c77d85ebca97

—One Mask Is Good. Would Two Be Better?  1/12/21 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/12/health/coronavirus-masks-transmission.html

—Moderna doesn’t expect Covid vaccine data for young children until 2022, CEO says  1/11/21 https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/11/covid-vaccine-moderna-doesnt-expect-data-for-young-children-this-year.html

—Along with vaccine rollouts, the U.S. needs a National Hi-Fi Mask Initiative  1/7/21 https://www.statnews.com/2021/01/07/national-hi-fi-mask-initiative-needed-with-vaccine-rollouts/

—We’re entering year two of the pandemic. Here’s what happens next.  1/5/21 https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/04/us/coronavirus-pandemic-year-two-trnd/index.html

Insurrection.  Impeachment.  Mutant Covid strains.  Sudden vaccine shortage.  Local roadblocks.  Lakeway considering killing our deer again.  2021 is just FULL of surprises, so far….

The Election and Insurrection

Everyone knows Dec. 7 is the day that will live in infamy, due to the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan in WWII.  Well, Jan. 6 is the day that will live in ignominy, due to Trump’s MAGA thugs.  America has never been so shamed.

The good news is that Biden-Harris were duly certified by Congress on Jan. 6 as having won the November 3 electoral college vote, and they will be sworn in on Jan. 20. 

The bad news came just as America is scraping Trump off its heel,  as he redefined “sore loser” by inciting a riot at his Jan. 6 (“You’ve gotta come.  It will be wild.”) rally.  After spouting his usual “they stole the election” lies, he sent his MAGA hoard to the Capitol to “stop the steal” and “fight” and “take back the country.”  (Trump promised to come with them–“I’ll be there with you.” He lied.  Duh.)  The mob followed his instructions.  They erected a gallows and chanted “hang Pence” and “kill Pelosi.”  They brought guns and zip-tie handcuffs.  They planted pipe bombs on Capitol grounds.  Breaking windows and bashing in doors, they soon overcame a pathetically (and suspiciously) inadequate police presence and sacked the Capitol Building while Congress was in session counting the electoral votes.  MAGA thugs murdered a police officer, beating him to death with a fire extinguisher, and seriously injured dozens more officers.  (They actually beat officers with Blue Lives Matter flag poles.  So much for Republicans being the law and order party.)  Shamefully, they raised the Confederate flag in the Capitol for the first time in history.  Somehow, they infiltrated the unmarked offices of senior Congressional members, tucked away deep in the building. They urinated and defecated in the halls and on desks, as Secret Service and other officers eventually evacuated VP Pence and Congress members to secure locations, where they hid for nearly 4 hours as the Capitol was pillaged.  Four members of the mob died (1 shot by police as she broke through a door, 1 crushed by fellow rioters, 1 from a heart attack and 1 from a stroke.)

While sheltering in basement safe rooms, Pence and Congressional leaders called area governors for National Guard assistance and military leaders for aid, but hours passed with no help because Trump failed to approve activation of troops.  (The media was told by White House staff that Trump was watching it all on TV, relishing the mayhem.)  Trump eventually issued a lukewarm statement suggesting calm and telling his people “I love you, you’re very special.”  Finally, the situation was so dire that troops arrived on Pence’s say-so and cleared the Capitol.  Meanwhile, Trump’s domestic terrorists prowled the House and Senate galleries and ransacked offices.  They defaced statues.  They stole government laptops and official documents.  And they recorded it all on their phones, posting victory videos online, which the FBI is finding very helpful in the resulting criminal investigation of these far-right militia members, Proud Boys, white supremacists, QAnon loons, and willfully ignorant sadistic bullies devoted to Donald Trump.  Already, many of the faithful are demanding pardons from Trump, saying he invited them and they were just doing what they were told.  And what he told them to do was insurrection, a blatant and deadly attack on government.

Every last one of these felons should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, including conspiracy and insurrection charges.  So should their fearful leader, Trump, who created the mob and directed it to wreck the Capitol.  Finally, Republican enablers such as Senators Cruz and Hawley, who used this crisis for their own political ends, should be removed from office for aiding insurrection and subverting the Constitution.

This ugly stain on America will never be erased.  As difficult and unpleasant it may be, all those responsible must be exposed, investigated and held accountable, just as any vicious wound must be exposed, cleaned and treated in order to heal—not just covered with dirty rags.  We must not take the easy path or fall for the argument that unity is paramount, to let the how and why of this be covered up.  If we don’t fully investigate and prosecute this horrific crime (just as we do crimes committed by groups NOT 99% white, for instance), if we just digest it and pretend to move on for expediency–then, the next occurrence will be worse, far worse. 

On the local level here in Lakeway, THANK YOU to all the MAGA folks who suddenly removed Trump signs and flags from their yards, after Jan. 6.  As for those who still display Trump signs and flags, even after this atrocity, well….  I defend your right to make a political statement, however pathetic, misguided and dangerous I personally believe it to be.  And, I apologize in advance for vomiting on your lawn. 

Impeachment

The House immediately moving to impeach Trump was the right thing to do, in order to protect the nation and rein in this dangerous president. 

It is unfortunate that the McConnell-helmed Senate refuses to take up its Constitutional duty of the trial portion of impeachment, but that just means the matter will be handled by a Democrat-controlled Senate later this month.  Once Trump is convicted of inciting insurrection, a simple majority can strip him of the perks of being a former president (including getting classified briefings from various departments) and bar him from ever again holding federal office.  (Many Republicans are secretly desperate for that last bit to happen, since it is their best hope of salvaging the GOP.) 

There is an old-world saying, when someone gets the hugely awful thing that was coming to him.  Hoist with his own petard.  Shakespeare used the phrase, and it evokes the image of someone so grossly flatulent that his foul gas lifts him up, before he falls back to land with a splat in the fetid mess.  It is disgusting, but that is the point, because it happens to disgusting people enmeshed in disgusting things.  The phrase came to mean, more broadly, being taken out by one’s own bad act, as when a bomber is killed in the blast, or some evil plot backfires in glorious poetic justice, and the bad actor gets his comeuppance.

And that is exactly what happened to Donald Trump.  His MAGA supporters of all stripe—the intentionally ignorant, the grasping and greedy, the Fox News devotees, the crawled-out-from-under-rocks racists and xenophobes, and the violently insane conspiracy theorists—were all for many years squirted out of Trump like noxious gas.  The sheer mass of the toxic pile lifted him up during his presidency, in turn encouraging him to commit worse and worse atrocities.

But, Trump finally went too far, inciting riot and insurrection on Jan. 6 that resulted in chaos, death, betrayal, and an unprecedented attack on American democracy.  And, Trump dropped down with a resounding splat, to huddle alone and covered in his own filth.  Desperately trying to hose themselves clean of the muck at this late date, Trump’s political appointees have fled, his contributors have withdrawn, his banks have dropped him, and his business associates have reneged on deals.  Social media finally got brave enough to ban Trump for the greater good, universities rescinded their honorary degrees, lawyers declined representation, and long-time associates aren’t taking his calls.  The shocked and scared rats are finally deserting Trump’s sinking ship. 

But, remember, Trump’s supporters were there with him all the way to the noxious end.  They facilitated and cheered every foul act he committed for 4 years.  Had Trump won the election—or had the Jan. 6 riot somehow continued his presidency as planned—they would STILL be by his side.  And Trump would STILL be the disgusting monster that has now been exposed.  Jumping back in horror NOW is sheer hypocrisy.  It is far too little and much too late.  Trump’s toxic muck will stick to his supporters forever.

Trump’s last crime against the country may well be turning DC into a military Green Zone, teeming with military troops and bristling with wire fencing and a near-complete shutdown of the city.  That is because Trump STILL refuses to concede the election and clearly call off his ravening hordes.  Per the FBI, far-right militants are threatening to attack DC again, with the inauguration a likely target, as well as state government buildings across the country.  So, an ugly war-like backdrop will blight the coming inauguration, already cut to the bone by Covid.  On the other hand, counting the troops on duty, Biden’s pandemic inauguration may well have a larger crowd than the skimpy attendance Trump’s budget-busting inauguration attracted.

The Coronavirus

Worldwide, we recently passed 2 million people dead of Covid.  It took 9 months for Covid to kill the first 1 million, but just 3 months for the second million to die.

In the US, the total dead passed 400,000 on Jan. 15 with scant notice.  (Remember when the total hit 100,000 in late May, and everyone was stunned at the melancholy milestone?  Well, we hit 200,000 in mid-September and 300,000 on Dec. 11.)  Now, we keep setting records for most daily deaths–3,000, 4,000, higher.   As for new cases, a quarter million per day has become the norm.  Hospitals across the country are overwhelmed.

Texas joined the more-than-30,000 dead club, along with CA and NY.  Daily stats report 300-400 people dead.  New cases are typically over 20,000 per day.  Current hospitalizations are at 14,000.

Travis County is also experiencing record cases and deaths.  Along with the vast majority of the state, it surpassed Gov. Abbott’s hospitalization threshold, so retail and restaurant occupancy was cut from 75% to 50%, and elective medical procedures were banned.   (This ineffectual response is typical from our Trump-puppet governor.)  Austin is now treating overflow Covid patients in a field hospital set up at the Convention Center. 

In the latest of Trump’s many Covid failures, it turns out that Project Warp Speed (which term unfairly denigrates all things Star Trek) grossly over-stated the amount of vaccine available, with stock recently promised to states not actually in existence.  Something else the Biden administration will have to fix….

Most states seem unable to administer the vaccines already on hand, which is infuriating, particularly with the current deadly surge that seems at least partly due to new and extra-contagious mutant strains of the virus.  Of course, America had to be told about these new strains by other countries that test for them–just like they perform contact tracing and do the other hard work that is necessary to survive a pandemic but that the US just can’t seem to get off the ground. 

Texas reports getting nearly 2 million doses, yet it has vaccinated less than 1 million people.  What are we waiting on?  I would love to get vaccinated, but it will be months before I’m eligible.  Like most people, I am fine with rules and tiers and waiting for my turn, as long things are clear, fair and well-managed.  This mess is none of that.

In Lakeway

Locally, everyone is in a tizzy about gates suddenly being erected to stop traffic cutting through a certain very popular parking lot, as we all prefer to run our errands to HEB, the post office, etc., WITHOUT risking getting on 620.  The blame lies with city officials, who allowed HEB and the many satellite businesses in The Oaks to open in 2014 BEFORE the developer built the road to handle the traffic these businesses generate.  Worse, the city failed to get the agreement for later build of the road properly signed.  Then, officials let the situation fester.  So, all these years later, we have MORE development, MORE traffic, and STILL no internal road connecting to Lohmans.  And, 620 is slated to be re-done in 2023, with long-term re-routing and closures; without an alternate internal road, we will have gridlock that makes our current situation look good.  But, Stratus is not interested in building a multi-million dollar road now just because we need it, so Lakeway can 1) sue them or 2) build the road with taxpayer money and THEN sue them.  Both options stink.  By the way, the Mayor in 2014, when this problem was created, was Dave DeOme.  His successor, Joe Bain, signed the 2015 and 2016 amendments to the Stratus agreement.  Maybe they and the several Council members serving back then should direct traffic in the cut-through parking lot until the road gets built.

Council’s next meeting will be on Tuesday (due to MLK Day on Monday), Jan. 19, 6:30pm.   It is being held ONLINE.

Agenda items include the 2020 deer survey.  Last summer, it was stated that this survey would determine if culling would be reinstated (with funds set aside for this in the budget.)  The agenda says discussion and vote, so they could decide to go back to culling via TTT or TTP.  The survey is included in the Meeting Packet; this monster of a document has nearly 400 pages, so I will add the survey here as a PDF. 

Wildlife Advisory Committee seems to have been disbanded.  Its last meeting was a full year ago, and it was not calendared then cancelled if no urgent business, as was done in 2020 for other committees due to Covid. 

From my reading of this survey, done in November, a grand total of 15 more deer were counted than in 2019, during the 27 miles driven.  (That minimal difference is well within the range of error.)  Looking at the 4 surveys done, the results are: 2017–351 deer, 2018–402 deer, 2019–393 deer, and 2020–408 deer.  Those counts are remarkably stable.  The results certainly don’t indicate the herd is growing dangerously.  On the last page of the report, the surveyor indicates that he does NOT think the herd will increase.  In addition, he says that while a hunting ranch might want to cull, an urban area like ours may well have a different view.

According to the last statistics the city released on deer encounters (car accidents, carcass pick-ups, and nuisance complaints), those numbers were on the decline, as well.  So, there seems to be no reason to return to the inhumane trapping and killing of our deer.  In addition, in these hard economic times, using taxpayer funds ($100,000 or so per year) for such a divisive program is fiscally unsound as well as unconscionable.  Many Lakeway residents enjoy the deer and feel their presence is part of what makes living here special.  I hope Council and the Mayor honor that, but I have given up expecting rational decisions.  Last January, they voted to return to TTT despite that year’s survey showing a DROP in herd size, and they were only stymied in doing so because the city waited too long to get going as far as state permitting and hiring a trapper.  Maybe the same logistics apply this January, or maybe they have already taken those preliminary steps.  Guess we’ll soon find out.  If you don’t want our deer killed, let Council know ASAP.  (Email them and/or arrange to speak by phone for 3 minutes during the Jan. 19 meeting, all via the link below.)

The Agenda has several other items, including discussion of the new Master Park Plan.  In addition, the new Rough Hollow agreement will be discussed in detail; it may come to a final vote.  Last time, the most contentious issue was allowing Legends to add a storage facility (for cars and wine), but there is also the matter of water access and sports parks required by the original agreement but never created.  Officials who accepted campaign contributions from Legends owner Haythem Dawlett and CEO Bill Hayes should recuse themselves from discussion as well as voting, but that hasn’t happened with Legends matters so far.

The Agenda and Meeting Packet can be found here— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

To send comments to Council beforehand and/or request to speak in person at the meeting (there is a 3pm deadline on the meeting date) about any agenda item, go here and create a Public Comment Form–https://lakeway-tx.civicweb.net/Portal/CitizenEngagement.aspx

Go here to watch this Council meeting online (live or after the fact)— https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Back to me….

The snow was very pretty, but no more for a few years, please.  If I wanted to worry about driving on ice and having my skylight compromised by a heavy load of snow, I would live in Michigan.

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When I see deer on my morning walks now, I wonder if they will soon be hunted, trapped and killed again by the city.  There are so many insane things happening at this time; I pray that this doesn’t become another one.

Cute ducks!

Panda cub update:

Toys! https://www.facebook.com/nationalzoo/videos/227061128898233