Here is what is happening in Lakeway….
Fawn Season!
Wee fawns are everywhere now. Please DRIVE CAREFULLY on residential streets, as newborn fawns are incredibly tiny, fragile, and clueless about traffic. If you see an adult deer, watch for a straggling fawn. If you see one fawn, watch for another as multiple births are common. Also, when walking, ALWAYS keep your dog on a leash; this protects fawns from exuberant dogs and also protects dogs from being kicked and stomped by VERY protective mama does.
Scroll down to the Back to Me section for TONS of new fawn photos, including a rare melanistic/dark cutie in Old Lakeway.
PARKED fawns are FINE.
Remember—the vast majority of fawns you see around town are FINE, just parked in a safe spot and waiting for Mom to return to feed/clean/move the baby to another safe parking spot. The above image is from our local fawn expert, Leanne Dupay, a permitted wildlife rehabilitator with Texas Parks & Wildlife. 512-694-1811. (She lives in The Hills.) Take a photo of her chart and SAVE IT IN YOUR PHONE SO YOU HAVE THE INFO WHEN NEEDED.
If the fawn’s ears are curled, its bottom is dirty, it is laying on its side with legs straight out instead of curled up like a cat, or it is wandering around crying, it needs help. There is much more info on the Fawn page of my blog. It also has several local contacts if you find a fawn (or other wildlife) truly in distress. https://ninawriteorwronginlakeway.com/parked-fawns-injured-deer/
Art at the Library
During June, Kathryn Chalfant will exhibit her Expressionist abstract landscapes at Lake Travis Community Library. Stop by to view the works of this local artist.
July 4 Parade—REGISTER to participate/volunteer to help by JUNE 21 DEADLINE.
Register to participate/volunteer in this year’s parade, held on Thursday, July 4. The theme is Symbols of Freedom. Deadline is June 21. Go here for info and to register your float/performance OR volunteer to help make the event great: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/718/July-4th-Celebration
Summer Fun at the Library
Join the fun at Lake Travis Community Library! There are Summer Reading Challenges for kids, teens and adults; pick up a reading log (kids) or punch card (teens and adults) from the library and get a prize when it is completed. Plus, the library is hosting hour-long camps for kids, boosting reading skills through crafts, science experiments, writing projects, and more. Camps are 2:30-3:30 on Tuesdays (kids entering kindergarten), Wednesdays (kids entering 1st and 2nd grades), and Thursdays (kids entering 3rd grade and up). Finally, the library has age-appropriate reading lists plus tons of special programs scheduled throughout the summer. More info here: https://laketravislibrary.org/summer-reading-program/
Movie Pool Party
Cool off on Saturday, June 22 with a movie pool party at the Lakeway Swim Center, starts at 5PM (movie starts 5:30PM). The film is Pixar’s Luca, shown on the jumbo screen. Also–giveaways, popcorn, and lots of swimming in the lap pool. Bring Chairs and all your viewing setup needs. Daily Swim Center fees Apply. More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2075/Summer-Movie-Event
Lake Travis Democrats Club
—June 26: Banned Book Club 6:30PM at Lake Travis Community Library. The book is They Came For the Schools: One Town’s Fight Over Race and Identity and the New War for America’s Classrooms by Mike Hixenbaugh.
Check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for details and activities each month.
TexArts summer productions
June 7-30—Anything Goes.
August 9-25—Motown: A Celebration.
Go here for info and to buy tickets: https://www.tex-arts.org/upcoming-productions
Lake Travis Community Library provides TECH HELP.
Drop in from noon to 2PM Monday-Thursday and work with one of the volunteer tech coaches. They can help with questions about your smartphone, tablet computer OR any of the library’s own services like the Libby app. They also provide help via email or phone, and there is a weekly ZOOM session. More info is here: https://laketravislibrary.org/tech-coach/
Spirit of Freedom Monument Recognition—DEADLINE to Apply is July 5.
Lakeway Veterans who served in official periods of armed conflict like the Vietnam War or Gulf War can have their names included on the Spirit of Freedom Monument located in Lakeway Heritage Park. Applications are now being accepted for additions to the monument for recognition on Veterans Day in 2024. Deadline to apply is July 5, 2024. The fee ranges from $325-$425. Call 512-314-7530 or go here for info and a link to the application: https://lakeway-tx.gov/97/Heritage-Center-Park
Under the Sea
Don’t miss this fun-filled water event, on Saturday, July 20, starting 1PM, at Lakeway Swim Center, transformed for the ocean theme. Come dressed to get wet and enjoy snacks, giveaways, mermaids, and face painting. More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2188/Under-the-Sea
Shark Pool Party
Another Saturday means more water fun at Lakeway Swim Center! Pop in on July 27, starting 1PM, for an exhilarating shark-themed event, with shark giveaways, thrilling shark pool games, and jaw-some decorations. PLUS—last year’s crowd-favorite MECHANICAL SHARK (Bull) will make a return appearance. More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1867/Shark-Pool-Party
Sunday Concert Series–Austin Brassworks
On Sunday, July 28, 4PM, Austin Brassworks presents a FREE CONCERT at Lakeway Activity Center. Enjoy their range of groups and styles – jazz, big band, polka, wind ensemble, brass band, orchestral and, of course, quintet. For more info, go here (and scroll down): https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTI5MTM3MTA=
Blue Meals needs YOU
Here is a chance to do something special for our police officers, just a gesture of appreciation for their dedication and hard work keeping Lakeway safe and running smoothly. The Lakeway Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (LCPAAA) administers Community Blue Meals, a program to provide duty meals for our officers. This is funded by citizen donations. As funds are available, LCPAAA works with a local restaurant to cover the cost of meals for officers on duty. Go here to see details and make a donation: https://cbm-admin.wixsite.com/communitybluemeals
House Watch
If you are traveling over the summer or only occupy your home here part-time, Lakeway Police Department provides a House Watch program, at no charge. Just let them know, and officers will perform close patrols of the address and contact you if anything appears suspicious. Call 512-261-2800 for info and go here to sign up: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1305/House-Watch-Request
Looking for a way to help local families? 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. A special project currently running is making sure local families have Summer Meals. Go here to join the Facebook group and see what you can do for our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/twelve31
Mayor Kilgore in the news, plus his Facebook Update
The mayor had a recent piece on Lakeway in the local papers: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/lake-travis-view/2024/06/13/lakeway-mayor-tom-kilgore-prepare-for-summer-heat-gear-up-for-summer-fun/74083232007/
Plus, he gave a 12-minute live update on June 13. Go here to watch: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live?ref=watch_permalink&v=444314178313590
Council meets on Monday, June 17, 6:30pm, at City Hall.
Consequential Agenda items include:
ITEM 4: Introduction of new police officers and staff.
ITEM 15: Citizens Participation for Items NOT on the Agenda.
ITEM 16: Financial Report.
ITEM 17: Consider a request from Hillsong Development LLC, the owner of the property located at 15617 Flint Rock Road, for determination of whether its new PUD amendment application is significantly and relevantly different than the prior application asking to add a fire station and the ability to lease homes (which was DENIED by Council last month).
ITEM 18: LMUD Water Conservation Update.
ITEM 19: Revise ordinances to allow power tools on golf courses [specifically for zoning districts P-1 (Public Park), P-2 (Private Park), GB (Greenbelts) and REC (Recreational)] starting at 6:30AM, allowing greens keeping ahead of the first daily tee time of 7:30AM.
ITEM 20: Amending the TV2 PUD, being 17.462 acres located across Lohmans Crossing from the completed Tuscan Village and next to the police station, to increase building height of a condo tower, decrease spacing between cluster cottages, allow parallel parking, and various other changes.
ITEM 21: Amending the Square at Lohmans Crossing PUD, being 62.979 acres located at 1935 Lohmans Crossing Road, to extend again and without penalty the deadline (originally October of 2023, and then April of 2024) for the developer to complete its share of Main Street and Lohmans Spur, until June of 2025, plus other minor changes.
ITEM 22: Approval of a 99-year Special Use Permit to build and operate an Autozone (retail auto parts store) on 1.379 acres of land (now vacant and zoned C-1) located at the southeast corner of Bowling LN and FM 620 N.
ITEM 25: Discussion of possibly restructuring the City of Lakeway’s vehicles, as suggested by Enterprise Fleet Management, Inc.
ITEM 26: Discussion regarding alkali-silica reaction (ASR) detected in swimming pools built between 2017-2023 in Lakeway, specifically how staff should handle inspection fees related to pool repair, demolition, removal, etc.
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
Daring Mighty Things
Former Apollo astronaut Bill Anders died last week, at age 90. Back in 1968, Air Force Major Wiliam A. Anders orbited the moon on the Apollo 8 mission, which paved the way for the moon landing in 1969. But, he is best known for taking the above photograph (image credit: NASA), the first color image ever captured of our own planet. Dubbed “Earthrise,” Anders’ impromptu shot caught a beautiful Earth rising over the moon, reversing the universal moonrise that humanity has watched since forever. That aside, it was the terrifying fragility of the far-away blue orb that made his photo famous for forcing a shift in perspective. Earthrise is credited with inspiring the environmentalist movement. Former astronaut William Anders, who took iconic Earthrise photo, killed in Washington plane crash 6/7/24 https://apnews.com/article/astronaut-william-anders-killed-plane-crash-earthrise-b4d783e0c5613a0e65fc9598a55f90d4
Finally—Starliner launched from Florida! The left-hand image above shows an Atlas 5 rocket powering Boeing’s FIRST crewed flight on June 5, transporting NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station. Multiple launches since early May were scheduled then scrubbed for a variety of reasons, including helium leaks. A day after launch, Starliner (shown in the right-hand image above approaching ISS) successfully docked at the International Space Station, after the astronauts spent an extra hour troubleshooting malfunctioning thrusters. In addition, several more helium leaks were discovered along the way and after docking. Originally scheduled for just 1 week, the mission was extended until June 18 and AGAIN until June 22 to allow more time for NASA to assess Starliner’s performance and condition prior to the return trip. A successful mission would add Starliner to the very short list of ferry services to and from the ISS; for years now, SpaceX was the only private US company doing that. (Image credits: Joe Raedle/Getty Images; NASA Johnson.) Go here to watch video of the launch: Boeing’s Starliner launches astronauts for 1st time in historic liftoff 6/5/24 https://www.space.com/boeing-starliner-crew-flight-test-launch
SpaceX got last minute FAA approval and on June 6 launched from Boca Chico Beach, TX, the 4th uncrewed test flight for its mega-rocket Starship. (Image credits: Elon Musk via X.) Results were far better than previous tests, including 2 crucial firsts—BOTH of the mission’s primary segments survived separation and returned to Earth safely and according to plan. (Complete reusability of Starship is key to the Space-X plan for economic feasibility.) The craft’s booster made a soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, and Starship itself landed in the Indian Ocean after a controlled burn. SpaceX Starship launches on nail-biting 4th test flight of world’s most powerful rocket 6/6/24 https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-flight-4-test-launch-success Launch video only: https://videos.space.com/m/l1P49QzZ/blastoff-spacex-starship-launches-to-space-on-4th-test-flight?list=9wzCTV4g’
Oops, never mind, just a test, really…. NASA has issued an official statement assuring Earthlings that 1) last Wednesday’s scary audio from the International Space Station (image credit: NASA) was from a recent medical training SIMULATION, and 2) all personnel are alive and well. Wednesday night, 8 minutes of audio streamed from the ISS on NASA channels indicating that an astronaut commander on the ISS was in severe distress, suffering from decompression sickness. NASA insists the audio was part of a medical simulation training ISS personnel and NASA ground crew on handling emergencies; decompression sickness can result when astronauts pass in and out of the ISS for space walks, and it can be fatal. ‘No emergency situation’ on International Space Station, NASA says after astronaut medical drill audio causes stir 6/12/24 https://www.space.com/no-emergency-situation-on-space-station-leaked-simulation-audio Coincidentally, I’m sure, last Thursday’s scheduled space walk at the ISS was cancelled at the last minute, due to “spacesuit discomfort.” NASA calls off spacewalk at International Space Station due to ‘spacesuit discomfort’ 6/13/24 https://www.space.com/nasa-astronauts-spacewalk-june-13-2024-postponed
The above image is a lovely spiral galaxy officially known as NCG 4565. About 40 million light-years away, it looks flat because from Earth we see it edge-on. So, we call it the Needle Galaxy. Check this government site daily to see space-related images, with understandable explanations: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Ever wonder what that is up there in the night sky? The above chart provides a quick and easy answer in most cases. (Image credit: League of Lost Causes.) Planes move and blink, planets shine solid, stars twinkle, and much more. https://www.leagueoflostcauses.com/blog/2013/08/astronomy-101.html
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
On June 13, SCOTUS unanimously refused to make any change to availability or distribution of mifepristone, the medication widely prescribed since 2000 to induce abortions. (Image credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images.) The opinion was written by Justice Kavanaugh. While this is good news for patients and medical providers, it is critical to understand that the good news is TEMPORARY. The legal merits were not considered, because the case was decided on a legal technicality, with the 9 justices holding the plaintiffs lacked standing. The case was shoddily manufactured in Texas, with an anti-abortion group claiming possible harm to a group of doctors who might at some point be required to treat a patient who used mifepristone with a poor result. The ruling was a clear rebuke to the hard-right 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and Republican rogue District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of Amarillo, all of whom glossed over the obvious standing problem in order to attack the FDA and attempt to take the abortion medication (safely used for the last 25 years) off the market nationwide, even in states still allowing abortion. SCOTUS held the plaintiffs lacked standing to sue because they suffered no harm from its availability; they did not use or prescribe it and are not required to treat patients who do (due to federally allowed conscience objections). However, the ruling made it clear that another plaintiff who could show direct injury or a likely future injury could bring the same case in the future. Be sure that multiple anti-abortion groups are already scouring the country for likely plaintiffs, which could be individual states. Like Texas…. To be continued. And remember—a Republican president would appoint an FDA chief able and willing to pull mifepristone and other drugs off the market with no court intervention at all. U.S. Supreme Court allows access to abortion pill, unanimously rejecting Texas challenge 6/13/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/13/supreme-court-texas-mifepristone-ruling-abortion/
In what sounds unrelated, silly and definitely small, SCOTUS unanimously gave Trump a victory, with an opinion (written by Justice Thomas) denying copyright protection to a California attorney for the phrase “Trump too small” (which references exactly what you think it does). Copyright law prohibits protection when a 3rd party identifies a living person without permission. All 9 justices rejected plaintiff’s argument that this law violated his First Amendment rights, but the 6 conservative justices did so on grounds of history and tradition. The 3 liberal justices viewed this rationale with alarm, since First Amendment claims have always been considered against the bedrock principle that the government may not draw distinctions based on speakers’ viewpoints. Historical perspective and tradition have never been relevant; after all, America’s history has from time to time treated minorities, women and all manner of personal liberties very, very poorly. But, from today on, there is high court precedent for applying historical norms to First Amendment claims. Stay tuned. Supreme Court blocks ‘Trump too small’ trademark bid referring to crude joke 6/13/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-blocks-trump-small-trademark-gambit-rcna137779
A recent study shows that over 170,000 patients traveled out of state for an abortion in 2023. Texas, the largest state to ban abortion, had the most residents cross state lines for the procedure—over 35,000 (compared to just 2,000 in 2019). Most Texans fled to New Mexico, Kansas or Colorado for their health care. (Image credits: Guttmacher Institute.) Nationwide, traveling patients faced multi-day trips, lost income and child care costs. 171,000 Traveled for Abortions Last Year. See Where They Went 6/13/24 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/06/13/us/abortion-state-laws-ban-travel.html
After months of deliberation, the Amarillo City Council voted 4 to 1 to REJECT a law forbidding use of city roadways to seek an abortion outside Texas. This made Amarillo the largest conservative Texas city to reject an abortion travel ban. Other cities and counties in Texas have recently passed ordinances to prohibit traveling through their jurisdictions for an abortion outside the state. This includes the cities of Athens, Abilene, Plainview, San Angelo, Odessa, Muenster and Little River-Academy, plus Mitchell, Goliad, Lubbock, Dawson, Cochran and Jack counties. Legal experts find such bans dubious and unconstitutional, citing the American precept of interstate freedom to travel. The group of residents who have pushed for the Amarillo ban since last fall will likely petition to put the issue to a vote by residents on the November ballot. Amarillo City Council rejects so-called abortion travel ban 6/11/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/11/amarillo-city-council-abortion-travel-ban/
On June 12, the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Indiana, voted to oppose in vitro fertilization. This isn’t a governmental body, but it IS America’s largest and most politically powerful Protestant denomination. It signals the right’s turn against IVF, which often discards fertilized eggs in the scientific process of aiding millions of Americans to grow their families. Many on the right find this at odds with their beliefs on when life begins; evangelicals, anti-abortion advocates and other social conservatives see IVF as the “pro-life” movement’s next frontier. Banning IVF in states and even nationally is their natural next step after Dobbs stripped away abortion rights. Once IVF also falls, contraception would be next, followed by any number of personal freedoms. Why the Southern Baptists’ vote opposing IVF could change national politics 6/12/24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/12/ivf-southern-baptist-convention-evangelical-00162994
The Texas Supreme Court on June 14 declined to hear an in vitro fertilization case that could have potentially upended access to the procedure in the state. Instead, via an unsigned order without comment, the justices sidestepped the question of whether, after Dobbs, a frozen embryo has the same rights as a living child. A divorcing couple divided their assets in early 2022, with frozen embryos going to the husband. After Dobbs and the Texas abortion ban defining an “unborn child” as starting at fertilization, the wife argued that her frozen embryos had all rights and protections of people under Texas law. IVF providers disagreed, noting that applying personhood to frozen embryos would make the IVF process impossible. Obviously, the Texas Supreme Court will rule on this issue; it is not clear if the facts of this case didn’t suit them or if the justices decided to delay a controversial decision until after the November election. Texas Supreme Court rejects case that could have imperiled IVF access 6/14/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/14/texas-supreme-court-ivf/
STILL waiting on the US Supreme Court to rule on an important abortion case, emergency abortion care for at-risk women. Plus, of course, Trump’s immunity case is still hanging out there blowing in the wind like an upside-down American flag…. ALSO, it will be interesting to see how far Justice Samuel Alito dares to go as this scandal-ridden court term ends. Generally, all SCOTUS opinions are released and cases closed in June. The justices need their 3 months off before starting the next term in October. (Clarence Thomas has luxury vacations to take, thanks to billionaire benefactors; his recent “Machine Guns are good for America” opinion will no doubt score him major goodies from the NRA, as well. ) This year, with so many high-profile cases and so much bad press to shovel through, it looks like opinions will trickle out well into July.
Back to me….
Busy. Hot. Cranky. That pretty much covers things for me. The cats are, however, glorious.
It is SO HOT out there. Give wildlife a break and some fresh water, preferably in the shade. Rinse the bowl and add fresh water daily, to avoid breeding mosquitos. (Image credit: Angels Among Us Animal Rescue.)
Fawns are really out and about these days! I took a ridiculous number of deer photos on my morning walks. Here are some of my fawn photos, taken in Old Lakeway in the last couple weeks.
First, this sweet fawn spent a couple days right here in St. Andrews, just down the street from me.
Here is the melanistic fawn. These darkly pigmented deer are perfectly healthy and very common on and around Yaupon Golf Course, but this is the first one I have seen in the Live Oak Golf Course area of Lakeway. I have always called the dark deer “chocolates.” When I lived on Spellbrook Lane at the 6th hole of Yaupon, chocolate fawns were born and raised in my yard every year; one spring, I had Fudge, Mocha and Cocoa. Chocolate fawns do have spots, but they are hard to see except when sunlight makes them glint silver. These deer stay dark as adults. Does can have chocolate fawns whether they are dark or light themselves; twins can be 1 of each color. (I didn’t get a good photo of this baby’s mama doe, but she is the regular honey color.)
These twins were playing in tall grass with each other and mama doe.
These group shots show 3 fawns parked in the grass, as well as 2 fawns being watched over by a young buck (which was surprising with fawns so small).
Fawns and their very patient moms.
Fawns just being adorable.
Coronavirus Update
The predicted summer Covid wavelet is here. As of June 8, the CDC’s Data Tracker shows 2 Covid-19 indicators (test positivity and ER visits) clearly rising; the death rate was still flat. The 4th indicator is hospitalizations; for that, reporting rules have changed, but data as of May 25 still showed little change. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
Wastewater viral testing shows LOW levels of Covid nationwide, but current levels are rising. https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/index.html
REMINDER— Over 95% of adults hospitalized in 2023-2024 due to COVID-19 had not gotten the latest vaccine. So, if you never got the updated Covid booster, get it now. Those age 65 and older should get ANOTHER dose of the updated vaccination this spring (if 4 or more months have gone by). Shots are available at local pharmacies.
If you catch Covid, consider taking Paxlovid. It prevents severe illness and death in people at high risk; studies show it is effective in nearly 75% of cases. And “high risk” covers most American adults, including those with depression, obesity, asthma or a history of smoking. Anyone age 50 or older should take Paxlovid, regardless of health status. Lots more good info in this article: I Have Covid. Should I Take Paxlovid? 1/11/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/11/well/covid-paxlovid-treatment.html
Coronavirus Articles
—A Guide to Managing Covid This Summer 6/3/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/03/well/live/covid-symptoms-treatment-flirt-variants.html
—FDA advisers urge targeting JN.1 strain in recipe for fall’s COVID vaccines 6/5/24 https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/fda-advisers-urge-targeting-jn1-strain-recipe-falls-110879597
—New Report Underscores the Seriousness of Long Covid 6/5/24 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/05/health/long-covid-symptoms-recovery.html
—Long-Term Health Effects of Covid-19: Disability and Function Following SARScoV-2 Infection (2024) https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27756/long-term-health-effects-of-covid-19-disability-and-function