PLEASE, may 2024 be less eventful than recent years, with peace breaking out instead of war in Ukraine, in the Middle East, and in the American political arena.
Here is what’s happening in Lakeway….
Christmas Tree Recycling
Lakeway residents have TWO options. Email solidwasteclerk@lakeway-tx.gov with questions.
1—Weekdays Dec. 27 through Jan. 5, 7AM-3:30PM, drop off your holiday tree at Public Works, 3303 Serene Hills Drive. (Public Works is closed that Saturday and Sunday.) Remove decorations, lights and tree stands.
2– Waste Connections will also pick-up trees during normal trash service through Jan. 19. BUT, trees must be cut into 3-4’ sections. Remove decorations, lights and tree stands.
Ice Skating at The Galleria
Now through Jan. 15, enjoy ice skating Texas-style at Hill Country Galleria (12700 Hill Country Blvd.). Rink is outdoors, and hours vary. Cost is $15 for 1 hour, including skate rental; on Tuesdays, cost is just $10. MUST PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE. Go here to check hours and buy tickets: https://www.beecavetexas.gov/residents/culture/events___activities/rink
FREE Daily ONLINE Yoga Sessions the Entire Month of January
Recover from the holiday madness and ease into 2024 with online yoga on YOUR schedule. Yoga instructor Adriene Mishler lives in Austin; she hosts a thriving online community, and every January she offers FREE daily yoga sessions that people can access on their own schedule. Watch the videos on YouTube, as and when you have the time– morning, night, daily, binge on weekends, whatever works for you. (Image credit: Adriene Mishler.) Kick off/orientation drops on Jan. 1. Daily sessions start on Jan. 2. (I have done this every January for several years now, and IT IS FABULOUS!) SIGN UP HERE—Completely FREE: https://do.yogawithadriene.com/flow
Art at Lake Travis Community Library
During January, local artist Sofia Besondy’s artwork will be on display in the library meeting room. Her “Point of View” collection consists of 30 pieces of abstract art. There will be an artist reception and demonstration on Jan. 20, 2-3:30PM.
Human Trafficking Awareness Event
On Thursday, Jan. 11, 6-7PM, Lake Travis ISD and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services will host a community event on human trafficking, including how to protect individuals and how to spot the signs. FREE event at the Lake Travis ISD Educational Development Center located (607 RR 620 North).
Lakeway’s Own Police Officer/Animal Protection Officer Needs Your Help
Andrea Greig, one of our police officers since 2005 and now our Animal Protection Officer, is currently fighting a very tough form of cancer. She is always there for Lakeway–helping people, their pets and our wildlife with endless energy, compassion and devotion. Now, if you can, please be there for her and donate to a GoFundMe account, helping cover her medical expenses. Here is the link for info and donations: https://www.gofundme.com/f/4q2ytg-help-andrea-kick-cancers-butt
Brush Recycling Offered 1st Thursday of Every Month
City of Lakeway offers free yard waste drop off for Lakeway residents the first Thursday of every month, at the Public Works Department (3303 Serene Hills Drive) 7AM-3:30PM. Limit is one pickup truck load of yard waste or up to one 8’X5′ pile. Go here for details, including what is accepted: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/62/Public-Works
Oak Trimming Season ENDS SOON
Oak pruning is a violation of Lakeway ordinance February through June, due to higher likelihood then of spreading Oak Wilt. Trimming Oaks is allowed July-January. When trimming, pruning seal must be applied within 10 minutes to all cuts on all Oak trees. More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1059/Oak-Pruning-Schedule
Lake Travis Democrats Club
Jan. 16: Monthly Meeting, 6:30PM at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). Speaker will be State Representative James Talarico, who serves on the Texas House of Representatives’ Public Education Committee, Calendars Committee, and Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee. (NOTE: Wendy Davis had to reschedule to the MARCH meeting.) All are invited to attend. Check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for activities each month.
Brown Bag Lunch Series is BACK in 2024!
On Thursday, Jan. 18, noon-1PM, bring your lunch to Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) and enjoy LATIN DANCING from Esquina Tango. Free event! (Save the date for the next Brown Bag Lunch—Lake Travis Fiddlers will perform on Feb. 15.) More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/932/Brown-Bag-Luncheon-Concert-Series
Million Dollar Quartet
TexARTS Theatre presents Million Dollar Quartet, Jan. 19-Feb. 11, 7:30PM. Back on Dec. 4, 1956, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley came together at Sun Records in Memphis, resulting in one of the greatest jam sessions ever. The show features a score of rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, country, and R&B performed by world-class actors and musicians. Tickets ($45-$75) and info here: https://www.tex-arts.org/our-season
GIVE BLOOD
The next blood drive at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) is on Saturday, Jan. 20, 8AM-noon. The event is always well organized, clean and friendly. You will be done and out the door in under 30 minutes. It is an important cause and helps countless people. Plus—FREE JUICE AND COOKIES! While walk-ins are welcome, those with appointments have priority. You can see upcoming dates and make an appointment to donate by entering your zip code here– https://weareblood.org/donor/schedule/
Heritage Trail Bus Tours
Tours are on Friday, Jan. 26, at 9:15AM, 11:15AM, and 1:15PM, leaving from Lakeway City Hall. These popular tours fill up fast, so make reservations NOW. Go here for info and to sign up: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1171/Heritage-Trail
The Addams Family: The Musical
Feb. 1, Feb. 2, Feb. 3, and Feb. 5 at 7PM, Lake Travis High School Fine Arts will present a comical original story celebrating the wackiness of every family. Tickets are $15-20, with performances at Lake Travis Performing Arts Center (3324 RM 620 S.). Go here for info and tickets: https://www.ltisdschools.org/Domain/32
Masterpiece Concert
On Sunday, Feb. 4, 4PM, enjoy the classical music of Schubert and Dvorak performed by Andrew and Sari Pierce, Sandy Yamamoto, Nick Hammel, and Colette Valentine. Another FREE EVENT at the Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1862/Sunday-Afternoon-Concert-Series
Lakeway is HIRING.
Open positions include 2 administrative assistants (1 for Activity Center and 1 for Police Department), facility attendant, 911 operator, victims service specialist, police officer, and an associate municipal court judge. Go here for info and to apply: https://tx-lakeway.civicplushrms.com/CareerPortal/Jobs.aspx
Council met on Dec. 18.
RESULTS: 6 members attended the meeting, all in person. Council Member Vance was absent.
ITEM 9: Financial Report. As of Nov. 30 and 2 months into the fiscal year, REVENUE was $20K over projections, while EXPENDITURES were $400K under projections.
ITEM 13: Report on Winter Storm Mara, from the Emergency Management Coordinator. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is on track to refund the city for 75% of its storm-related expenditures. Total spent was nearly $1,900,000. Significant funds have already been received from FEMA, with the balance expected soon. Mayor Kilgore credited the massive refund to the efforts and expertise of the city’s Emergency Management Coordinator, Waheeda Yousofzoy, who recently received national accreditation.
ITEM 14: Request for Hotel Occupancy Tax Funds by 3 area hotels (Lakeway Resort and Spa–$150,000; Springhill Suites–$25,000; La Quinta–$13,000), to be used for advertising and promotion. UNANIMOUSLY approved.
ITEM 15: Revising the ordinances to remove the deer trapping provision, as surveys show the herd is not expanding despite no trapping for the last 5 years. (The prohibition against feeding the deer remains in place.) UNANIMOUSLY approved.
ITEM 16: Parks bond discussion. SEE image above for current proposal. Cost to fully fund all 8 proposed projects would be over $28MIL. Staff estimates that the average Lakeway home’s property tax bill would be increased $13/month by a $28MIL bond. After the recent Parks Town Hall and subsequent feedback, staff’s priority list for projects has changed, with Rough Hollow’s Butler Park at the top and the Live Oak Tennis and Pickleball Courts at the bottom; the pickleball part of that project has generated considerable negative feedback on noise, traffic and light pollution in the adjacent residential area. Some Council members suggested individual bonds for each project, so voters can choose; however, the resulting small bonds would increase the overall cost of lending, so 1 or 2 large bonds would be more economical. Some members suggested cost cuts (delaying 1 or more projects, cutting pricey items like the Swim Center’s Flow Rider and Lazy River, etc.) and getting the bond down to roughly $20MIL. NO ACTION TAKEN. Staff was directed to provide more info, for further discussion at the January Council meeting.
ITEM 17: Special Use Permit to operate an arcade at Spinners Sweepstakes, 107 RR 620 S, Ste. 110. POSTPONED until the January Council meeting, so staff can gather info as to sales taxes paid (if any) and previous permit requests (if any) by this business.
ITEM 19: Re-zoning 14.866 acres at Hwy. 71 and Bee Creek Road from C-1 (Office/Retail) to PUD (Planned Unit Development), specifically for a pharmacy, medical offices and 135 car condos. UNANIMOUSLY approved.
ITEM 20: Revising the ordinances as to hours allowed for construction, early concrete pours and power tool usage. APPROVED 5:1 (Kilgore against) changing construction start time from 8AM to 7AM Monday-Friday only and allowing staff to authorize early concrete pours for residential as well as commercial property. (Council refused to change power tool start time, including on golf courses and in parks, from 7AM to 6:30AM.)
ITEM 21 Discussion of amending the golf cart ordinance to include other vehicles. After discussion, staff was directed to draft language amending the golf cart ordinance to include certain other vehicles (but likely excluding ATVs and UTVs) for a first reading at the January Council meeting.
ITEM 22: Discussion of microtrenching (related to Google Fiber and also Spectrum). After discussion resolving several complicating issues, staff was directed to continue negotiations with the providers.
ADJOURNED at 10:58PM. View the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and/or Presentation (scrolling down to City Council documents) here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx Go here to watch the Council meeting online: https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/291651
Daring Mighty Things
The US government website Astronomy Picture of the Day/APOD displayed the above image on Christmas Day. It captures the setting crescent moon framing Monviso mountain, towering behind the Basilica of Superga, in Piemonte, Italy. (Image Credit & Copyright: Valerio Minato.) It took 6 years for the photographer to get the angle and timing just right, with clear weather. Check out APOD’s website for a new space-related image every day. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
The moon put on a real show, with December 26’s full moon known as “The Cold Moon.” The above shot was taken over the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. (Image credit: Cemal Yurttas/Anadol/Getty.) Lots more full moon views are in this article. See December’s Full Cold Moon shine in the sky like a Christmas ornament 12/27/23 https://www.space.com/full-cold-moon-december-2023-photos
Cat videos are now, officially, everywhere. A video starring an orange tabby named Taters was recently beamed to Earth from NASA’s Psyche spacecraft. The video travelled 19 million miles in just 101 seconds, successfully testing a new technology known as a flight laser transceiver. Psyche launched on Oct. 13 atop a SpaceX Falcon heavy rocket and is on its way to an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. NASA laser-beams adorable cat video to Earth from 19 million miles away 12/19/23 https://www.space.com/nasa-laser-taters-cat-video-19-million-miles-away
Elon Musk is threatening to launch a third Starship test flight, after 2 tries in 2023 that exploded in short order. The FAA, which issues launch permits, is still investigating the “mishap” of the second flight; a new permit won’t be issued until that investigation is concluded and corrective actions taken. In the meantime, the giant rocket is stacked on Space-X’s South Texas launchpad. (Image credit: SpaceX.) SpaceX gearing up for 3rd Starship flight 12/18/23 https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-third-flight-testing-photos
2023 was a big year for planet Earth. Review what the most amazing images from space revealed. (Image credit: NASA.) 10 dramatic discoveries about Earth from 2023 12/27/23 https://www.space.com/planet-earth-from-space-in-2023
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
On Dec. 19, the all-male Amarillo City Council considered an abortion travel ban. It was the third time the group discussed a proposed ordinance designed to block access to Colorado and New Mexico, two states where a Texas woman could legally obtain an abortion. Legal experts call such rules unconstitutional. Instead of physically blocking interstate travel with barriers at the border, the ordinance would outlaw using Amarillo’s roads to transport a pregnant person for an abortion in another state; Texans could sue for damages anyone who “aids and abets” such transportation, which local residents decry as turning neighbor against neighbor. More practical criticisms include concern about the negative effect on local businesses and dislike of government overreach. To date, Odessa and 5 Texas counties (Lubbock, Cochran, Mitchell, Goliad, and Dawson) have passed abortion travel bans. No decision was reached at the December meeting, and the Amarillo City Council will continue discussion in January. Amarillo City Council says it needs more time to debate abortion travel ban 12/19/23 https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/19/amarillo-texas-abortion-travel-ban-vote/
Back to me….
All 3 of my girls had birthdays in December. Here are Maxie, Tulip and Peanut living large.
Then, Santa brought them a mid-century mod style bed. All 3 cats are all still in the “sitting on top this weird thing” phase. Maybe someone will actually start sleeping INSIDE it next year.
Rut season is winding down. I’m seeing fewer deer on my morning walks; they always get scarce in winter, staying in treed areas, greenbelts, etc. instead of hanging out on the golf courses and in our yards.
Here are some of my photos of our precious herd–all does. The December shots are on top, with several unposted shots from the fall below.
Coronavirus Update
As of Dec. 9, the New York Times correlated the CDC’s statistics for the US, showing another increase. Across the country, a daily average of 5,261 people were being hospitalized for Covid-19, which is a 17% RISE over 2 weeks. Total hospitalizations rose by 15% over that time. The winter surge is expected to continue due to holiday travel and gathering. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/us/covid-cases.html
As of mid-December, just 2 variants–JN.1 and HV.1–were responsible for over half of Covid cases in the US. And, JN.1 alone caused the lion’s share—44% of cases. This is a big change from the last couple years, when a dozen or more variants were active. Still, the 2 dominant variants are from the Omicron strain we have been dealing with since 2021. Happily, the latest Covid-19 vaccines protect against these new variants, as far as serious infections and death.
REMINDER—If you haven’t gotten the updated Covid booster, now is the time to do so. Shots are available at local pharmacies.
Recent Covid-19 Articles
—What to know about the new Covid variants 12/27/23 https://www.nytimes.com/article/covid-variant.html
—Covid numbers are rising again. Here’s how to protect your family this holiday season. 12/22/23 https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/covid-19-vaccine-christmas-rcna130530
—The Most Common COVID Symptoms Doctors Are Seeing This Holiday Season 12/20/23 https://www.huffpost.com/entry/covid-symptoms-doctors-winter_l_6582f87ae4b085747d67e8c9
—A Covid Update 12/16/23 https://erictopol.substack.com/p/a-covid-update