May Ukraine Have Peaceful Skies Again
Here is what’s happening in Lakeway….
HARD FREEZE COMING TO LAKEWAY.
PREPARE NOW–a hard freeze is coming to Lakeway/Travis County. Looks like it will start Saturday night, 1/13/24. Prepare for 3-4 days and nights of temps going and staying well below freezing. (Image Credit—Weather Underground.)
–Wrap outdoor spigots and pipes. Turn OFF sprinklers. Cover vulnerable plants.
–BRING IN ALL PETS, and keep them inside.
–Drip faucets indoors that are on exterior walls. Open cabinet doors to allow heat to reach plumbing pipes in kitchen and bathrooms.
–Schools and businesses may shut down.
–Be ready with food, water, medications, etc., so you can stay home if the roads are treacherous. ICE IS FORECAST FOR SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY.
–Have supplies (batteries, power banks, flashlights, water, ready to eat food items, blankets, firewood, etc.) and a plan of action ready in case power is lost.
–Fill bathtubs with water in case needed for flushing toilets.
–Think back to the big snow and the ice storm we had in recent winters. Do NOW what you can to prepare, so you and your family make it through better this time.
–Check with neighbors who are elderly or just new to the area, to be sure they know what is coming and are in good shape.
FREE Daily ONLINE Yoga Sessions the Entire Month of January
It is NOT TOO LATE. 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 30 FREE daily yoga sessions that people can access on their own schedule. No need to complete this in January! Watch the videos on YouTube, as and when you have the time–morning, night, daily, binge on weekends, start next month, whatever works for you. (Image credit: Adriene Mishler.) 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 City Hall
During January and February, local artist Gale Threinen has her creations on display in the Lakeway City Hall lobby/gallery. Artist’s Reception is on Jan. 16, 5-6:30PM. Local artists interested in displaying at City Hall should check here for info: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2040/City-Hall-Art-Gallery
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.
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
Oak Trimming Season ENDS Jan. 31.
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—see below.) All are invited to attend.
Jan. 23: Banned Book Club, 6:30PM at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing Rd). The book is Demon Copperheadby Barbara Kingsolver.
Feb 1: Happy Hour, 5:30 at the Meridan 98 (in the Sonesta Hotel at the Hill Country Galleria).
Feb. 20: Monthly Meeting, 6:30PM at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). Speaker is Joshua Blank, a polling specialist and Director of Research for the Texas Politics Project, College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin.
March 19: Monthly Meeting, 6:30PM at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). Speaker is Wendy Davis Former Texas Representative and now the senior adviser to Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, which serves as Planned Parenthood’s political fundraising and advocacy arm.
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. As of Jan. 13, the 2 later tours are full, but there are seats available on the 9:15AM tour. Go here for info and to reserve your seat: 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
$1,000 Scholarships for Lakeway Seniors
Waste Connections again offers $1,000 Scholarships to eligible high school seniors whose parent/guardian is a customer in good standing of trash and recycling services with the City of Lakeway. Deadline for essays and applications is April 22. Go here for full info on eligibility and how to apply: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1993/Waste-Connections-Scholarship
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
Looking for a way to help locally? Consider 12:31.
12:31 is a LOCAL, registered, 501(c)(3), serving students and families within LTISD. (Tax ID number–EIN: 88-2279325.) With over 7,000 members, it was created by Mike Dahlhauser. Mission statement:
We believe that people aren’t meant to go through life alone.
We believe that communities are stronger when they work together for the collective good.
We believe that communities thrive when all the members of the community feel cared for, included, and valued.
By providing tangible opportunities for members of the community to get involved, and connected to those around them, we create an environment that fosters meaningful connections, and genuine relationships.
Through various programs and initiatives, and through general community outreach, we are able to mobilize the community as a whole, to meet the needs of the individual.
Go here to join the Facebook group and see what you can do for our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/twelve31
PRIMARY ELECTION coming soon
Sorry, but brace yourself for a year of political sign clutter and social media mayhem. 2024 brings FOUR election cycles—primary, county and local (3 Lakeway Council seats are up for grabs in May), primary run-off, and general (including US President, in November). First up is the Primary Election, for state and national offices. Early Voting starts on Feb. 20, with Election Day on March 5. Enter your address on this Texas Tribune site, to get your sample ballot, showing the primary races you can vote in. Here’s your Texas 2024 March primary ballot 1/8/24 https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2024/march-2024-primary-ballot/
Mayor Kilgore’s Facebook Update
The mayor gave a live update on Jan. 11, with 18 minutes of Lakeway news. Go here to watch: https://www.facebook.com/cityoflakeway/videos/1417077595900112
Lake Travis found to be a hot zone for toxic algae. Dog owners beware….
Per the article: “Austin’s bodies of water are some of the biggest breeding grounds for toxic algae in the country, a recent report suggests. BlueGreen Water Technologies, a water bodies preservation company, released a report in September that listed Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin and Lake Travis as being hot zones for toxic algae blooms. The lakes are the only bodies of water in Texas mentioned in the report.” … “The algae can be harmful to humans and deadly to pets if ingested, especially by dogs that lick it off their coats after swimming. In 2021, several dogs became sick or died after contact with algae in Lake Travis.” … “For dogs, blue-green algae can be deadly within a matter of hours or days after exposure. Symptoms can include excessive salivation, vomiting, fatigue, staggered walking, difficulty breathing, convulsions and liver failure.” Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin, Lake Travis among lakes with worst toxic algae blooms in U.S. 12/30/23 https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2023/12/29/austin-lakes-toxic-algae-lake-travis-lake-austin-lady-bird-lake-rankings-usa/72056776007/
Council meets on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 6:30PM, at City Hall (because Monday is a holiday).
Consequential Agenda items include:
ITEM 10: Introduction of Officer Elianna Vela.
ITEM 11: Financial Report.
ITEM 12: Presentation from Emergency Services District 8.
ITEM 13: Community Survey Results.
ITEM 14: Parks Bond Discussion/Parks and Rec Strategic Plan.
ITEM 15: Parks and Rec Reservation System Update.
ITEM 16: Special Use Permit to allow Spinners Sweepstakes to continue operating an arcade at 107 RR 620 South.
ITEM 17: Special Use Permit to allow the owner of 214 Capri to operate a short-term rental.
ITEM 18: Discussion of changes to the city’s permit process for special uses and short-term rentals.
ITEM 19: An ordinance revising street cut procedures by utility companies, in order to facilitate upcoming installation of internet cable/microtrenching.
ITEM 20: Discussion of the Polling Location at Lakeway Activity Center.
ITEM 21: Citizens Participation for Items NOT on the Agenda.
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 (live or later): https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events
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 and can reserve a space starting Feb. 1; Non-Members pay $35 per booth and can reserve a space starting Feb. 13. Call 512-261-1010 for info. Visit www.lakeway-tx.gov/catalog See booth locations and register online registration here (in the garage sale tab): https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog
Lake Travis Community Library’s Capital Campaign for the new WEST LOCATION
Our library is expanding, having purchased property at 21209 State HWY. 71. (Image credit: Ascension Architecture.) The building there (formerly Pizzeria Casa Nostra) needs renovating. In order to reach a fundraising goal of $1M, several naming opportunities are available. Honor a loved one while supporting literacy in our community, starting at $1,000 (for a table) and running all the way up to $150,000 (for an entire area). Go here for complete info and to donate: https://laketravislibrary.org/fundraising/
Daring Mighty Things
Austin is right on the edge, but Lakeway is well inside the totality corridor for the April 8 total solar eclipse. At about 1:30PM on April 8, Lakeway will have over 3 minutes of total darkness, as the moon passes across the sun. (Image credits: GreatAmericanEclipse.com.) SO—GET YOUR ECLIPSE GLASSES NOW! Total solar eclipse April 2024: 10 of the biggest cities within in the path of totality 1/2/ 24 https://www.space.com/total-solar-eclipse10-of-biggest-cities-in-path-of-totality-april-8-2024
Gunpowder, ozone, burnt meat—those are ways astronauts describe how space smells. (Image credit: NASA Johnson Space Center.) Of course, it’s complicated. There is no air in space, and astronauts can’t just open a hatch and sniff. What does space smell like? 1/8/24 https://www.space.com/what-does-space-smell-like
Happily, the space exploration teams of America and Russia are still able to work together. (Image Credit: NASA.) They have agreed to keep transporting astronauts and cosmonauts to and from the ISS, through at least 2025. NASA and Russia will keep launching each other’s astronauts to ISS 1/2/24 https://www.space.com/nasa-russia-astronaut-launches-iss-2025
The crewed Artemis missions to the moon have been postponed by nearly a year, skipping 2024. NASA recently announced that Artemis 2 won’t orbit the moon until Sept. of 2025, and Artemis 3 won’t land on the moon until Sept. of 2026. (Image credit: Artemis 1–NASA.) Why the delay? Space exploration is hard and dangerous…. Astronauts won’t walk on the moon until 2026 after NASA delays next 2 Artemis missions 1/9/24 https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-2-moon-mission-delay-september-2025
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
A lot of American women are playing it safe and planning ahead, ordering abortion pills through the mail, just in case they need them later. Called advance provisioning, this used to be relatively rare. Now, just 1 dispensary (a Netherlands-based nonprofit that provides access to abortion medications via telehealth), reports over 48,000 American advance provision requests from Sept. of 2021 to April of 2023. The women requesting the pills were more likely to be white, age 30 or older, and live in an urban area. More nonpregnant women are requesting abortion pills to have on hand 1/2/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/nonpregnant-women-are-requesting-abortion-pills-hand-rcna131914
The US Supreme Court recently agreed to review Idaho’s strict abortion ban, specifically the provision that punishes doctors who perform the procedure in emergency situations. Idaho was sued by the federal government, which claims the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) requires patients receive appropriate emergency room care. EMTALA applies to any hospital that receives federal funding via the Medicare program. While SCOTUS agreed to take the case, don’t assume that is a good thing; it lifted the lower court’s hold on the Idaho law, placing pregnant women at risk during the many months of review and indicating the high court will uphold the full abortion ban. Supreme Court allows Idaho to enforce abortion law against emergency room doctors ahead of hearing case 1/5/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-allows-idaho-enforce-abortion-law-emergency-room-doctors-rcna127244
EMTALA was struck down in Texas. Well, of course it was…. This is the federal law requiring patients receive appropriate emergency room care, including pregnant women ungently needing an abortion. The hard-right 5th Circuit Appeals Court recently ruled that the law, somehow, just doesn’t apply to pregnant patients. Emergency rooms not required to perform life-saving abortions, federal appeals court rules 1/2/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/02/texas-abortion-fifth-circuit/
Back to me….
So, I celebrated New Years by exiting my job (after a 2-week notice, of course), and it was TOTALLY the right decision! I am still decompressing but really enjoying having a loose schedule with tons of free time. I call it my gainful unemployment. The cats seem happy to have me home full-time, as well. Life is good….
Speaking of which—GREAT football game last week, with Michigan winning the national championship. GO BLUE!
I’m feeling fine, but right now, just about everyone seems to be in some stage of not feeling well, right? Sick with something, getting over something, or coming down with something. This Statesman article has good and current info from 3 local doctors on the 3 likeliest bad guys—Covid, flu (there is an A version and a B version) and RSV—including the symptoms of each, how to avoid them, and what to do when you or a family member is sick. Here are some interesting quotes from the article:
–Respiratory viruses are circulating en masse across Central Texas, from severe cases of the flu to COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (aka RSV) and even some strep.
–The most common thing circulating now is COVID-19, followed by flu A and then some RSV.
— We are in a spike currently, fueled by holiday travel and gatherings.
— The flu is definitely worse this year.
— People can have flu and COVID-19 or RSV at the same time. They can also get flu A, get better and then contract flu B.
— Anyone with cold-like symptoms of a runny nose, cough, sore throat, body ache should be tested for COVID-19 and flu.
–All these respiratory illnesses can lead to a secondary infection like bronchitis or pneumonia.
–Doctors have seen people who have flu look sicker and feel sicker than people with COVID-19. Flu tends to come on very quickly and to cause a high fever and body aches.
–COVID-19 tends to be milder. COVID-19 patients think they have cedar fever or another allergy. They are surprised when the COVID-19 test comes back positive.
–People with RSV often are wheezing or suffer difficulty breathing. RSV can take weeks for the cough to go away. Look out for secondary infections in the ears and sinuses, and possibly pneumonia weeks later.
–Stay home if you are sick.
–Get vaccinated.
–Wash your hands.
–It never hurts to wear a mask in crowded spaces.
Read the entire article here: Seems like COVID, flu cases are on the rise in Texas? You’re right. What you need to know. 1/10/24 https://www.statesman.com/story/news/healthcare/2024/01/10/covid-cases-flu-season-austin-texas-vaccine-symptoms-test-treatment/72160346007/
Our gorgeous deer are still playing hide and seek, but I managed to get a few photos of does on my recent walks.
Coronavirus Update
The winter surge continues. As of Dec. 23, the New York Times correlated the CDC’s statistics for the US, showing another big increase. Across the country, a daily average of 6,301 people were being hospitalized for Covid-19, which is a 20% RISE over 2 weeks. Total hospitalizations rose by 18% over that time. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/us/covid-cases.html
REMINDER—If you haven’t gotten the updated Covid booster this fall, now is the time to do so. Shots are available at local pharmacies.
PLUS, if you do get 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. Even those experiencing mild symptoms should take it; Paxlovid is intended for people with mild or moderate symptoms. Take it early, within five days of developing symptoms. And, finish the full 5-day course, to eradicate the virus. If you are concerned about rebound infection—that often happens with Covid, Paxlovid or not. Usually, the 2ndary illness is very mild and short, as your immune system bounces back into action. Finally, Paxlovid is FREE for people on Medicare or Medicaid; most insurance covers it, and those without insurance can get it free through a patient assistance program. Lots more info in the Jan. 11 article below.
Recent Covid-19 Articles
—I Have Covid. Should I Take Paxlovid? 1/11/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/11/well/covid-paxlovid-treatment.html
—Seems like COVID, flu cases are on the rise in Texas? You’re right. What you need to know. 1/10/24 https://www.statesman.com/story/news/healthcare/2024/01/10/covid-cases-flu-season-austin-texas-vaccine-symptoms-test-treatment/72160346007/
—We Are in a Big Covid Wave. But Just How Big? 1/10/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/10/upshot/covid-pandemic-wave.html
—Paxlovid Cuts Covid Death Risk. But Those Who Need It Are Not Taking It. 1/4/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/04/health/paxlovid-covid-treatment.html
—Hydroxychloroquine could have caused 17,000 deaths during Covid, study finds 1/4/24 https://www.politico.eu/article/hydroxychloroquine-could-have-caused-17000-deaths-during-covid-study-finds/
—Covid Has Resurged, but Scientists See a Diminished Threat 1/3/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/03/health/covid-masks-vaccinations.html