Be brave like Ukraine.
Loss of 2 charismatic underdogs
Speaking of brave…. Last week, we lost Alexei Navalny and Flaco.
Obviously, I am not equating the two deaths, much less their lives. One was a renown Russian dissident murdered by a despot, and the other was an oddball owl who escaped from Central Park Zoo and flew into the side of a building after a year of freedom. But, both were courageous. Both were charismatic underdogs; we instinctively rooted for them to succeed, somehow. Both grabbed our attention and made our hearts soar from afar. Both met predictably tragic ends, suddenly and too soon. Their loss hurts, and now the world is an uglier place. (Image credits: Yale.edu and Getty Images.)
Here is what’s happening in Lakeway….
PRIMARY ELECTION—Early Voting Ends March 1.
Early Voting started on Feb. 20 and runs through March 1, with Election Day on March 5. Lakeway’s closest polling place is the Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). Need info on your ballot choices? The League of Women Voters has a great guide; just click on FIND WHAT’S ON TOUR BALLOT, here: https://www.vote411.org/
Lakeway’s Own Police Officer/Animal Protection Officer Needs Our 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
Lake Travis Democrats Club
Feb. 27: Banned Book Club, 6:30PM at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing). Book is: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews (which LTISD may ban in 2024).
March 19: Monthly Meeting, 6:30PM. NOTE: To accommodate more people, this meeting has been MOVED TO THE LA QUINTA HOTEL (1943 Medical Drive, near HEB). Speaker is Wendy Davis. The former State Senator and Warrior for TX Women’s Health and Reproductive Rights discusses her new role at Planned Parenthood Texas Votes.
Check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for details and more activities each month.
Lakeway WANTS You. And not in a good way….
Warrant Roundup starts March 1, when Lakeway PD will focus on locating people with outstanding warrants for the City of Lakeway. BUT, now through Feb. 29, the city will provide amnesty for those individuals resolving outstanding warrants. Contact Lakeway Municipal Court at 512-314-7560 option 8, email court@lakeway-tx.gov or visit the Lakeway Justice Center (104 Cross Creek, 2nd floor) to get things settled before March 1, when offenders are subject to arrest. Go here to check the active warrant list for your name and for more info: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1844
Lakeway Council Election
Yes, ANOTHER election is on the horizon.
Early voting for our local election starts April 22, with Election Day on May 4.
Three Council seats are open. Four candidates are running. The 3 getting the most votes will win. WATCH FUTURE BLOGS for updates on the candidates, info on forums, links to media Q&As, etc.
Matt Sherman is a 5-year Lakeway resident living in The Preserve. He now serves as Chair of the Comprehensive Plan Committee, as well as a Commissioner on the Zoning and Planning Commission. Here is his campaign website: https://www.mattshermanforlakeway.com/
Kelly Brynteson is a 16-year Lakeway resident living in Flintrock, currently seeking a second term. This is her 2022 campaign site, though I don’t see any current updates: https://kellyforlakeway.com/home
Jennifer Szimanski is a 12-year Lakeway resident living in Rough Hollow, currently seeking a second term. This is her 2022 campaign site, though I don’t see any current updates: https://www.jenniferforlakeway.com/
Chris Levy is a 16-year Lakeway resident living in Old Lakeway. (More on THAT later….) Currently, his campaign website link sparks a security warning, so here is his campaign’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556480009185
In addition, Council at its Feb. 5 meeting unanimously voted to put a $22MIL parks bond on the May ballot. The city has gathered info on the bond here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2162/2024-Parks-Bond
Finally, there will be contested races on the May Ballot for Lake Travis ISD Board seats.
For past Council elections, I posted Q&As here on the blog. If you have questions for the Council candidates, email me at macwestie99@gmail.com and I might use them.
Garage Sale at Lakeway Activity Center
The next community garage sale is Saturday, March 2 from 8AM to noon. Admission is FREE, but in the LAC lobby you can drop off non-perishable/canned food items, as well as pet food, to be donated to local food banks and charities. You can also donate new or gently used children’s books, for the Free Little Books bin at the entrance. Want to sell stuff? Booths are 10’X10’ and include a 6’ x 3’ foot table and 2 chairs. LAC members pay $30 per booth; Non-Members pay $35 per booth. Call 512-261-1010 for info. See booth locations and register online registration here (in the Garage Sale tab): https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog
A Night with the Austin Symphony Orchestra
LAST CALL! This 4th annual concert is set for Sunday, March 3, 4PM, at Lake Travis Performing Arts Center (3324 Ranch Rd 620 S). Members of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and student musicians with Lake Travis High School will collaborate on one stage. Symphony Maestro Peter Bay will conduct with participation by Anna Macias, director of orchestras for Lake Travis High School, and Richard Hicks, director of bands for Lake Travis High School. Tickets:$60/$40/$20. OR–the VIP package is $200 (4 tickets, VIP Buffet Dinner on Saturday, March 2 with the chance to meet the musicians, Maestro Peter Bay and other dignitaries). Go here for info and tickets: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1960/A-Night-with-the-Austin-Symphony-Orchest
Lakeway’s State of the City Meeting
On Thursday, March 7, 6-7PM, at City Hall, bring your questions and concerns and join fellow residents and city staff for a community meeting. City Manager Joseph Molis will give a presentation on how the City of Lakeway operates, as well as the latest updates from Lakeway City Council and staff. The various city departments will be on hand, as well. The meeting will also be broadcast live on the city’s site https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events AND on its Facebook Channel https://www.facebook.com/cityoflakeway . Plus, it will be available for viewing later.
ArtWalk–Artist registration deadline is March 10.
Deadline for local artists to apply is March 10. Register to participate here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2129/ArtWalk
April 19-21, City of Lakeway and its Arts Committee will bring us the FIRST ANNUAL ARTWALK! The FREE event will showcase art, music, food, community and culture in Lakeway, taking place in the Hamilton Greenbelt, Hurst Creek Sculpture Garden, and various local art studios. It will feature vocal, dance and instrumental performers, along with those in the culinary arts and visual arts and crafts.
Kid Camps—Spring Break AND Summer—at Lakeway Activity Center.
Sign up NOW, as camps fill up fast. Go Here and click on the Youth Camps tab: www.lakeway-tx.gov/catalog
EGGSTRAVAGANZA
On Saturday, March 23, bring the tots to City Park for this FREE annual event featuring egg hunts for every age group, prizes, vendors, petting zoo, bubble station, chalk art, face painting, and more. Starts at 2PM, with age-limited hunts starting every 15 minutes. Be sure to be present and ready to go for your child’s age-matched group. More info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/717/Eggstravaganza
Get your LIBRARY TOTE BAG
Support Lake Travis Community Library AND score a great tote bag. (Image Credit: Friends of the Library.) A $15 donation at the Friends of the Library Bookstore gets you a cool tote bag, with the funds going to support the library’s second location in Spicewood. For info on the new location and the MANY donation opportunities available, go here: https://laketravislibrary.org/fundraising/
Mayor Kilgore’s Facebook Update
On Feb. 15, the mayor gave a 14-minute live update on current city matters. Go here to watch: https://www.facebook.com/cityoflakeway/videos/295819423176526
Council met on Feb. 20.
Initially, six members attended the meeting in person, with Mayor Pro Tem Mastrangelo presiding. Mayor Kilgore was traveling but joined via video conference in the latter half of the meeting. RESULTS:
–ITEM 8 (within the Consent Agenda): Awarding Lakeway’s trash and recycling collection contract to Waste Connection, which provided the lower of 2 bids received. NOTE: While services remain largely the same, the new contract will raise resident cost by roughly 20%, per the staff report.
The ENTIRE Consent Agenda was UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, 6:0, including ITEM 8.
–ITEM 13: Financial Report.
REVENUES were down $1MIL from projections. EXPENDITURES were down $480K from projections.
–ITEM 14: Citizens Participation for items NOT on the Agenda.
ONE person spoke.
–ITEM 15: Amending an existing PUD Agreement for 22 acres and another adjacent 3 acres at 15617 Flint Rock Road and known as Hillsong Development, to substitute a fire station for a commercial building and a park on the 3-acre tract, with other changes overall.
After an Executive Session and considerable discussion on the dais, it became clear Council would approve most of the request but would NOT agree to remove previous litigation’s Settlement Agreement from the PUD terms (which seems related to the developer wanting to lease the proposed 126 homes, instead of selling them). At this point, the developer abruptly WITHDREW the requested amendment in full. So, no fire station there, for now.
–ITEM 16: Discussion of amending the ordinances to regulate Game Rooms/Arcades. Suggestions include limiting these businesses to a total of 3 within city limits. In addition, they would not be allowed within 1,500 feet of each other or of a school, place of worship or residential neighborhood.
After another Executive Session, Council UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED (7:0, with Mayor Kilgore participating via video link, through the end of the meeting) to send this issue to ZAPCO for review.
–ITEM 17: Amending the ordinances to simplify review of special use permits for short term rental of condos and single-family homes.
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED that staff will handle short-term rental applications as to BOTH condos and single-family homes, with no hearings before ZAPCO or Council (adding a more detailed definition as to condo).
–ITEM 18: Amending the ordinances to allow street-facing garages for GUI (Government, Utility, Institutional) uses or zoning district.
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
–ITEM 19: Amending the ordinances to allow Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (ROVs), Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs), and Utility Vehicles (UTVs) to operate on Lakeway’s public roads under the same rules as golf carts.
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. Go here for info and photos of the vehicle ALLOWED and PROHIBITED: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2033/Golf-Cart-Use
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/297951
ADJOURNED at 9:18PM.
Daring Mighty Things
Coincidence or causally related? As shown above, two powerful solar flares erupted from the sun late on Feb. 21 and early on Feb. 22. (Image credit: NASA/SDO.) Following the solar flares, cellular outages were reported throughout the US. Powerful twin solar flares erupt from sun as cell phone outages spike across US 2/22/24 https://www.space.com/sun-2-solar-flares-february-22-2024-cell-phone-outages
An American spacecraft has landed on the moon, for the first time in over 50 years. On Feb. 22, the lander Odysseus touched down on the moon’s surface, near the south pole. (Image credit: Intuitive Machines/NASA/X.) Odysseus was created by Intuitive Machines of Houston, making it the very first PRIVATELY built spacecraft to land on the moon. Within hours, Intuitive Machines reported that the craft was upright, in good condition, and sending data to Earth. BUT—an update late on Feb. 23 reported that after landing the craft flopped over onto its side, resulting in damage and antennas pointed the wrong way; at best, this will limit transmittal of data back to Earth. Odysseus is loaded with a wide variety of scientific experiments, many designed to help with the coming Artemis moon explorations. However, the craft will only operate for 7 lunar days of sunlight; it will not survive the bitter cold of the coming 2-week long lunar night. Intuitive Machines lands on moon in nail-biting descent of private Odysseus lander, a 1st for US since 1972 2/22/24 https://www.space.com/intuitive-machines-odysseus-private-moon-landing-success
Get ready for the April 8 total eclipse here in Lakeway with this easy to follow guide on how to take great photos of the event on your phone. (Image credit: Getty Images.) How to photograph a solar eclipse with a smartphone 2024 — 8 tips from an expert 2/16/24 https://www.space.com/how-to-photograph-a-solar-eclipse-with-a-smartphone
NASA released photos showing the partially completed interior of the Orion capsule that will take 4 astronauts to the moon in 2025, on the Artemis 2 mission. (Image credit: NASA.) Get a sneak peek inside the Artemis 2 spacecraft that will fly astronauts to the moon for the 1st time in 50 years 2/17/24 https://www.space.com/artemis-2-orion-spacecraft-look-inside-photos
Russia seems to be going the way of the scariest sci-fi sagas. US intelligence indicates Russia is developing a space-based nuclear weapon designed to disable or destroy satellites. Add to that the even more unnerving revelation that America as of now has no defense to such a system. Satellites now regulate everything from communications to transportation, as well as monitoring nuclear weapons activity worldwide. (Image credit: Roscosmos.) Russian plans for space-based nuclear weapon to target satellites spark concern in US Congress 2/15/24 https://www.space.com/russia-space-nuclear-weapon-us-congress
Above is Hoag’s Object, which was discovered by astronomer Arthur Hoag in 1950. Its outer ring is dominated by bright blue stars, with a central core of older red stars, and a mysterious dark gap in between. Experts still aren’t sure if this is 1 galaxy or 2, and they don’t understand why it is perfectly round or even how it came to be. (Image Credit: NASA, ESA, Hubble; Processing: Benoit Blanco.) Check out this government site to see daily space-related images, with understandable explanations: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
A recent independent study of over 6,000 patients from three providers of abortion via telehealth has released data. It found medication abortion prescribed via telehealth to be safe and effective, supporting the FDA’s approval that is now under attack by the far-right in the US Supreme Court. Abortion pills that patients got via telehealth and the mail are safe, study finds 2/15/24 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/02/15/1231652715/abortion-pill-telehealth-supreme-court-safe-study-mifepristone
Six states–Massachusetts, Washington, Colorado, Vermont, New York and California—have enacted telemedicine abortion shield laws. These new laws, as yet untested in the courts, protect doctors, nurse practitioners and midwives licensed in those six states, as they prescribe and send abortion pills to patients in nearly 2 dozen US states (including Texas, of course) currently banning or sharply restricting abortion. Providers in these 6 states have provided abortion access to thousands of women living in abortion states, particularly low-income patients and others finding travel difficult. The laws in the 6 states specify that their officials and agencies will NOT cooperate with another state’s efforts to investigate or penalize these care providers. This is the opposite of usual interstate practices like extradition, honoring subpoenas and sharing data. After Dobbs, medication abortion quickly became the only option for many women nationwide. While abortion pills can be ordered from other countries, the roundabout mailing process often causes weeks-long delays that take patients past the 12-week safety limit. Abortion states are livid over what they see as interference by other states, and legal action is inevitable; attorneys are just watching for the right case. As to medication abortion generally, the US Supreme Court will hear oral argument on March 26 for an existing case (coming from Texas, of course) seeking to bar the mailing of abortion pills and to require in-person doctor visits instead of telemedicine. Abortion Shield Laws: A New War Between the States 2/22/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/22/health/abortion-shield-laws-telemedicine.html
Far-right Republicans, including several plotting attack points for a second Trump term, are pushing the Comstock Act as a means of immediately enforcing a total abortion ban NATIONWIDE. Dormant since 1873 but still on the federal books, the Comstock Act criminalizes shipment of any and all materials used for abortion. That includes the medications used for most abortions today. Trump Allies Plan New Sweeping Abortion Restrictions 2/27/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/17/us/politics/trump-allies-abortion-restrictions.html
Anti-abortion zealots aren’t satisfied with restrictions as enacted by legislators. Stripping away 50 years of Constitutional protection isn’t enough. They demand that women everywhere be forced to give birth, regardless of how they became pregnant and no matter how dire the consequences. One way they are doing this is via local ordinance. Across the country, 67 cities and 7counties have passed “sanctuary cities for the unborn” ordinances. There, local laws ban abortions. The means vary; some block shipment of drugs used to perform an abortion, while others punish performing or aiding in an abortion on their residents. Texas—of course—leads the way in sanctuary city methodology. Lubbock declared itself a sanctuary city in 2021. Amarillo is currently debating such an ordinance. ‘Abolished from coast to coast’: Anti-abortion movement looks to cities as target for bans 2/9/24 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/02/09/cities-targeted-local-abortion-bans-post-roe/72086544007/
Not surprisingly, disabled Texans are finding it especially difficult to navigate the extremely limited abortion options now available. In many cases, they find extensive travel overwhelming. Often, they have never traveled. Some require special help with physical issues; some have medical conditions that pose additional travel complications (one example being kidney patients on dialysis). Disabled Texans face more barriers to accessing abortion 2/20/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/20/texas-abortion-disabled/
The Alabama Supreme Court held last week that embryos created during the in vitro fertilization process are “children.” This was a wrongful death case, with IVF couples suing over the accidental loss of stored embryos. Since the US Supreme Court’s 2022 decision ending the federal right to abortion, advocates have been concerned about the effect on fertility medicine, families that take advantage of it, doctors who provide it, and companies that support it. Currently, there are over 1.5 million frozen embryos in the US, most of which–for many different reasons–patients will never implant and bring to term. If frozen fertilized eggs (mere clumps of cells) are legally defined as children—elevating biblical over scientific terminology as to the beginning of life–fertility clinics will not be able to operate, and millions of Americans will no longer be able to pursue this route to bearing children. In fact, several fertility clinics, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, have already paused IVF programs, pending investigation into whether they can operate without being prosecuted criminally or facing punitive damages. Suppliers and 3rd parties such as shipping companies, have also cut ties to IVF businesses in the state. There is some indication the Alabama legislature may act to provide protection for fertility facilities. Alabama Supreme Court rules frozen embryos are ‘children’ under state law 2/20/24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/20/alabama-supreme-court-embryos-ivf-00142338
SCOTUS members continue to voice hostility to personal freedoms. Our rights to marry who we please, use contraception, and much more could soon be lost, just as Roe v. Wade was dismantled by the ultra conservatives now controlling the US Supreme Court. Justice Samuel Alito recently repeated his Dobbs statement that there is nothing in the Constitution protecting same-sex marriage. Justice Clarence Thomas stated the same in Dobbs, and the 3 newest Conservatives installed on the high court have not demurred publicly. Likely, they are just waiting for the right case to be presented. Sam Alito Launches Broadside Against Marriage Equality in Homophobic Juror Case 2/20/24 https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/02/sam-alito-marriage-equality-homophobic-juror-scotus.html
Back to me….
The cats are catching up on their zzzs.
I’m busy, busy, busy. I’ve been catching up on routine medical stuff I let slip lately. Plus, I’m a poll worker for Early Voting—always interesting!
Is our winter over? I had to weed my backyard in January, and now in February my cats have already started their spring shed. Ridiculous! If spring is showing up this early, the least it can do is BRING RAIN.
The deer remain shy and aloof, but here are a few recent photos–mostly bucks.
Coronavirus Update
Good news–the winter surge DOES seem to be in retreat. The last blog passed along dropping infection numbers BUT noted that a change in reporting rules could be responsible for that. Another 2 weeks out under the new rules (showing only lab-confirmed cases as opposed to suspected cases), the numbers are STILL dropping, so Covid cases really ARE trending downward.
As of Feb. 3, the New York Times correlated the CDC’s statistics for the US. Across the country, a daily average of 5261 people were being hospitalized for lab-confirmed Covid-19, which is a 9% DROP from 2 weeks ago. Total hospitalizations for lab-confirmed Covid-19 sank by 20% over that time to 22,665 Americans. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/us/covid-cases.html
REMINDER—If you still haven’t gotten the updated Covid booster, get it now. Shots are available at local pharmacies.
But, if you do catch Covid, consider taking Paxlovid. It prevents severe illness and death in people at high risk; studies show it is effective in nearly 75% of cases. And “high risk” covers most American adults, including those with depression, obesity, asthma or a history of smoking. Anyone age 50 or older should take Paxlovid, regardless of health status. Lots more good info in this article: I Have Covid. Should I Take Paxlovid? 1/11/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/11/well/covid-paxlovid-treatment.html
Long Covid is getting a lot of attention lately, which is a very good thing. (Image Credit: Eric Topol/Ground Truths.) Several studies were recently concluded, and experts are writing up results, making connections to other maladies, and proposing treatments. See the articles listed below for full info.
Recent Covid-19 Articles
—Clues to a better understanding of chronic fatigue syndrome emerge from major study 2/23/24 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/02/23/1232794456/clues-to-a-better-understanding-of-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-emerge-from-major-st
—Towards Solving the Long Covid Puzzle 2/22/24 https://erictopol.substack.com/p/towards-solving-the-long-covid-puzzle
—Could Long Covid Be the Senate’s Bipartisan Cause? 2/18/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/18/opinion/long-covid-research-funding.html
—How Protected Am I Against the Covid Variant JN.1? 2/6/24 https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/updated-covid-vaccine-offers-strong-protection-against-dominant-jn-1-variant/