Posted on by Nina Davis

March 15, 2025 My March 15 blog covers Lakeway’s upcoming events and meetings, plus an expanded section on our May 3 LOCAL ELECTION with what you need to know about the 3 LTISD School Board races and the 7 Propositions on the ballot, as well as tons of fun space images and events, women’s rights update, new deer photos, Covid update, and more.

Here is what is happening in Lakeway.   

The expanded section on our LOCAL ELECTION is just below, after the newsy items and stuff you don’t want to miss in March and April.

Art Displays in Lakeway

City Hall’s art gallery (1102 Lohmans Crossing) now features local artist Andy Hempel. Stop by during business hours, or meet the artist on Monday, March 17, 5:30-7:30PM.

During March, Women in Photography 2025, a juried exhibit of work by local photographers, is on display in the meeting room at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing.) 

Council Meets on Monday, March 17, 6:30PM at City Hall.

Consequential Agenda items include:  

ITEM 9 (within the Consent Agenda):  Selection of Noble General Contractor to install a new playscape in what is now the backyard of Lakeway Activity Center (facing Lakeway Drive).  Total cost of site development is $199,700 (the lowest bid received). 

ITEM 11: Financial Report.

ITEM 12: Citizens Participation for Items NOT on the Agenda.

ITEM 13: Annual Audit Report.

ITEM 14: Report on the server failure at City Hall.

ITEM 15: Discussion and possible action on Serene Hills median maintenance.  (NOTE: The Serene Hills HOA seems to be asking City of Lakeway to assume a broad range of landscape maintenance items costing around $160,000 per year.)

ITEM 16: Zoning change for 0.876 acres of land at 1211 Farris Drive from R-5 (condo) to R-1 (single-family).

ITEM 17: PUD Amendment #8 as to Tuscan Village 2, 17.462 acres at Lohmans Crossing and Lohmans Spur. (NOTE: Two major changes are: 1—Removing ALL age-restrictions from the project, so that NONE of the housing in TV2 is reserved for Lakeway’s senior population, despite broad age restrictions agreed to in the 2008 original PUD agreement which granted many variances, and ZAPCO voted YES on this 4:3; and 2—Allowing a fast-food restaurant with a drive-through at the corner of Lohmans Crossing and Bella Toscana, and ZAPCO voted NO on this 6:1. 

ITEM 18: Report from the Capital Improvement Plan and City Fund Committee.

ITEM 19: Discussion and possible action as to ESC #8 Baby Box.

ITEM 20: Amending The Oaks at Lakeway PUD, being 34.745 acres behind HEB and proposing apartments and a public park, along with building Main Street across the tract.  (NOTE: This item was on ZAPCO’s March 5 Agenda, with developer Stratus withdrawing it at the last minute.  The main issue is whether and when Stratus builds the portion of Main Street across this tract, as agreed; the deadline for road completion was September 12, 2024.  Normally, since there was no ZAPCO hearing, Council’s review would be cancelled.  However, Council may instead proceed with alternatives for Main Street construction, possibly in conjunction with the legal action/consultation with attorney noticed in Items 21 and 22/Executive Sessions.)

ITEM 21: EXECUTIVE SESSION for legal action/consultation with attorney as to ORDINANCE NO. 2022-09-12-02 (which seems to be the Stratus agreement to build Main Street, see ITEM 20).

ITEM 22: EXECUTIVE SESSION for legal action/consultation with attorney as to City Center.

ITEM 23: EXECUTIVE SESSION for legal action/consultation with attorney as to West Austin Business Park Legal Intervention. 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

Heritage Center Spring Break Event

Bring the kids and stop by The Heritage Center (963 Lohmans Crossing Road) on Tuesday, March 18, 11AM-2PM, for a FREE and FUN community event!  Explore the historic Rock Room, hear inspiring stories from veterans at the Spirit of Freedom Monument, and learn about Lakeway’s history. PLUS—art display and refreshments.

Spring Shred & Recycle Event

On Tuesday, March 18, 9-11 AM, LT Senior Services will sponsor a FREE shredding and recycle station in the parking lot of Lakeway Aquatic Physical Therapy Parking Lot, (by Reid’s Cleaners and the Brazilian Steak House, in Lakeway Commons, 900 RR 620 S, corner of 620 and Lakeway Blvd.).  Recycling items which will be accepted include plastic bags/wrap, batteries, empty ink cartridges, styrofoam, paint and household chemicals (limit 5 gallons/person).

Household Hazardous Drop Off

FREE drop-off of household hazardous waste on Wednesday March 19, 9:30AM to 12:30PM at Lake Travis Regional Reuse & Recycling Center (3207 Neidhardt Dr.). This is ONLY for residents of Lakeway, Bee Cave, and The Hills, as well as customers of WCID 17, Hurst Creek MUD, and Lakeway MUD.  Bring a photo ID or water bill to show proof of residency.  Reservations are REQUIRED.  Items MUST be in original labeled containers (so they can be disposed of safely.) The maximum amount of paint per household is a total of 30-gallon containers (whether partly empty or full). Go here for lists of what is allowed and NOT allowed (NO LIGHTBULBS, AMMO or ELECTRONICS, for instance) and to sign up for your reserved drop-off time: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACA728A1F4C07-55234542-household#/

West Library GRAND OPENING

On Saturday, March 22, 1PM-3PM, head out to Spicewood for the GRAND OPENING of West, Lake Travis Community Library’s new branch. Located on 71 (21209 State Hwy. 71 W, Spicewood 78669), events include opening remarks and a ribbon cutting ceremony, live music from jazz duo Tommy Howard and Chris Jones, crafts, therapy dogs, cake, tours, and a visit from H-E-Buddy.

Lake Travis Democrats Club   

  • Monthly Meeting: Monday, March 24, 6:30PM at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek).  (NOTE: Monthly meetings have MOVED to the 4th Monday of the month.) 
  • Banned Book Club: Tuesday, March 25, 6:30PM at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing). The book is James by Percival Everett.  It is a NYTimes bestseller and National Book Award winner, as well as an action-packed re-imagining of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
  • Watch https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for updates.

Wilderness Run 5K

Runners, walkers, and anyone else who wants to participate can SIGN UP for the 5K Wilderness Run taking place Saturday, March 29 at 9AM at the Lakeway Justice Complex (104 Cross Creek, across from the Activity Center).  This FREE event is sponsored by Lakeway Friends of the Parks and the City of Lakeway.  Participants will run, walk or stroll through the Hamilton Greenbelt, in a picturesque trail activity designed for all levels of fitness (though there are rocky areas and elevation changes).  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2230/Wilderness-Run

Heritage Trail Bus Tours

Reserve your spot for the next FREE historical bus tours taking place Friday, March 28 at 10 AM, noon, and 2 PM. Tours begin and end at Lakeway City Hall.  Start with a tour of the historic Liebelt Cabin, before boarding a bus (featuring restrooms).  Tours covering around 20 historical locations are narrated by a member of the Lakeway Heritage Committee, in about an hour.  More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1171/Heritage-Trail

Summer Camp Kickoff at Lakeway Activity Center

On Saturday, March 29, 10AM-noon, head over to LAC with the family to meet the summer camp instructors.  Find out what camps are offered and when, as well as enjoying a petting zoo, face painting, balloon twisting, and more.

LTISD School Board CANDIDATE FORUM

On Wednesday, April 2, 6:30PM, don’t miss an informative forum featuring the candidates running in the 3 races for Lake Travis ISD School Board, held at the Rough Hollow Community Center (903 Highlands Boulevard).  The event is sponsored by V4P and LT Dems.  There will be a neutral moderator, and all 6 candidates have been invited to participate.

EGGstravaganza at City Park

Hop over to City Park (502 Hurst Creek Rd.) on Saturday, April 5, noon to 2PM, for Lakeway’s annual EGGstravaganza, with multi-age group egg hunts plus food vendors, a petting zoo, a bubble station, chalk art, face painting, and lots more.  FREE event!  More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/717/Eggstravaganza

TexArts Productions

TexArts has 2025 productions, presented at its NEW theater located in the heart of Lakeway at 1110 Ranch Road 620 South.  Go here for details and to buy tickets: https://www.tex-arts.org/upcoming-productions

  • April 5-12: Mean Girls: High School Version
  • April 26-May 4: Alive in Wonderland, JR.
  • July 11-Aug. 10: Bye Bye Birdie

Austin Symphony Orchestra comes to Lakeway.

Treat yourself to “A Night with the Austin Symphony Orchestra” right here in Lakeway on Sunday, April 6, at 4PM.  Location is the Lake Travis Performing Arts Center (3324 Ranch Rd 620 South). This will be Lakeway’s 5th annual collaborative concert experience featuring members of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and talented musicians with the Lake Travis High School Band and Orchestra. Info and tickets here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1960/A-Night-with-the-Austin-Symphony-Orchest

Masterpiece Concert at LAC

Lakeway Arts Committee presents a FREE event on Sunday, April 13 at 4PM, at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek).  Classical musicians Emmanuelle Boisvert, (violin), Sari Pearce (violin), Sarah Kienle (viola), Andrew Pearce (cello), and Mikhail Berestnev (piano) will play Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 74, “Harp” and the Franck Piano Quintet.  Performance is 4-5:30PM, followed by a reception from 5:30-6:30PM.

2025 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Community Dialogue #3

On Tuesday, April 15, at 6PM, stop by City Hall (1102 Lohmans Crossing RD) for the third community dialogue meeting on Lakeway’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan.  More info, including updates on the plan after the 2nd Community Dialogue meeting last September, here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1547/Comprehensive-Plan

LAKEWAY SINGS!

Lakeway Singalong (performing and entertaining audiences since 1999) is now Lakeway Sings!  The group’s spring show is “Getting to Know You,” April 25-26, 6-9PM at Lakeway Activity Center.  Tickets go on sale to LAC members March 18; general public can buy tickets starting March 25.  More info here:  https://www.lakewaysings.com/events

Teen Scholarship Opportunities

Looking for a way to help local families? Consider 12:31.

12:31 is a LOCAL, registered, 501(c)(3) group,with over 7,000 members serving students and families within LTISD. (Tax ID number–EIN: 88-2279325.) They help provide school clothes, groceries, a safe place to live, and more, on an as needed basis.  Email  mike.dahlhauser@twelvethirtyone.org  or go here to join the Facebook group and see what you can do for our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/twelve31

Spirit of Freedom Monument Applications—DEADLINE: July 5

Periodically, past and present Lakeway veterans are honored, with their names placed on the Spirit of Freedom Monument system at Heritage Park. Applications will be accepted now until July 5.  Send the completed application along with proof of Lakeway residency and Service record information as instructed on the form.  The monument honors those residents who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified periods of armed conflict, including World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Panama, and Operations Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Iraqi Freedom (Iraq), and the Global War on Terror.  Application and more info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/97/Heritage-Center-Park

May 3 LOCAL ELECTION     

          

Lakeway has a local election coming up.    

  • Election Day: Saturday, May 3.
  • Early Voting: April 22-29.
  • Last Day to REGISTER TO VOTE: April 3.
  • Ballot by Mail Application DEADLINE: Must be RECEIVED by April 22.
  • WHERE can I vote?  Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) is the closest polling place, for early voting and election day.  Other area locations include Bee Cave City Hall (4000 Galleria Parkway) and Lake Travis ISD Educational Development Center (607 RR 620N at Kollmeyer). You can vote at any polling place in Travis County.

There is no election for Mayor or Council in Lakeway this year. 

MAYOR: No one filed to run against Mayor Tom Kilgore, so he will serve his third and last term.

COUNCIL: There were 3 Council seats open, and only 3 people filed to run.  So, Chris Forton and Kent O’Brien will serve their second terms.  Gretchen Vance has already served 6 consecutive years on Council so she is term-limited.  Louis Mastrangelo, who served 6 years and sat out the past year, filed again so he will serve his fourth (non-consecutive) term.

So, what’s on the ballot?

Lakeway’s ballot has 3 LTISD Board races plus 7 Propositions.  Below are sections with info on the School Board AND on all the Propositions.

LTISD BOARD RACES  

There are 3 school board races this year, for Place 3, Place 4 and Place 5 on the LTISD Board of Trustees. 

CANDIDATE FORUM

On Wednesday, April 2, 6:30PM, head over to the Rough Hollow Community Center (903 Highlands Blvd.), for an informative forum featuring the candidates running in the 3 races for Lake Travis ISD School Board.   The event is sponsored by V4P and LT Dems.  There will be a neutral moderator, and all 6 candidates have been invited to participate.

For Place 3, school board President Erin Archer faces challenger Jessica Howard. 

These candidates are both very conservative.  Neither has training or experience in education. 

For several years, Archer has been supported by Gov. Abbott’s pro-voucher group, Lake Travis Families PAC.  Archer’s campaign Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/ArcherforLTISD/  has not been updated in 3 years, and the election site she gave Community Impact  http://www.archerforlt.com/  is not operational. 

Howard is supported by the far-right group, We the People, and her campaign site is  https://votehowardltisd.com/   

Community Impact did its usual brief Q&A with the candidates.  Election Q&A: Meet the Lake Travis ISD board of trustees Place 3 candidates 3/5/25 https://communityimpact.com/austin/lake-travis-westlake/election/2025/03/05/election-qa-meet-the-lake-travis-isd-board-of-trustees-place-3-candidates/

For Place 4, Jonathan Bove faces John Severance, who is supported by We the People.  

Bove has a Master’s Degree in Higher Education, as well as kids attending LTISD schools.  Bove’s campaign site is here: https://www.votebove.com/   Bove also has an active Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1522465438450483  

Severance is an engineer, and his campaign site is here: https://www.voteseverance.com/

Election Q&A: Meet the Lake Travis ISD board of trustees Place 4 candidates 3/11/25 https://communityimpact.com/austin/lake-travis-westlake/election/2025/03/06/election-qa-meet-the-lake-travis-isd-board-of-trustees-place-4-candidates/

For Place 5, Kris Woodcock is an educator facing Craig Cancienne, who is supported by We the People.

 

Woodcock is a certified teacher with over 10 years of classroom experience. Woodcock’s campaign site is here: https://votekriswoodcock.com/  She also has an active Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573029882086&mc_cid=af516f228f&mc_eid=827a658cd3 

Cancienne is an engineer/consultant.  If his name is familiar, that is likely because he ran last year with huge support from the notorious Lake Travis Families PAC, and he lost to Phillip Davis.  His campaign page is here: https://craigcancienne.com/ 

Election Q&A: Meet the Lake Travis ISD board of trustees Place 5 candidates 3/11/25 https://communityimpact.com/austin/lake-travis-westlake/election/2025/03/07/election-qa-meet-the-lake-travis-isd-board-of-trustees-place-5-candidates/

(Image credits for portrait shots: Community Impact.)

More on the candidates.

LT Voices for Progress is supporting Jonathan Bove for Place 4 and Kris Woodcock for Place 5.  They are the only educators in the election.  Read more here: https://ltvoicesforprogress.org/pages/2025-ltisd-school-board-election

Even better, V4P has a series of new videos (just 2 minutes each). 

The first video: Do You Want Educators or Political Stunt People on the Board? gives the background on the school board as well as the 3 current races.   It explains that Lake Travis Families PAC disappeared after losing last year’s school board races; now, Jennifer Fleck’s far-right group, We the People (that has promoted book-banning for years), is running ultra-conservative candidates for school board in all 3 races–Howard, Severance and Cancienne, actually marketing them as “DOGE Candidates.”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BOYdjacMzc

The second video: Learn why Bove and Woodcock are the Most Qualified LTISD School Board Candidates compares the candidates in Place 4 and Place 5 on qualifications, stances on transparency and book bans, dedication to fight bullying and promoting teacher retention, and more.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTl9zo2rfwA

The third video: John Severance & Craig Cancienne are LTISD’s “DOGE” School Board Candidates exposes the negatives, when unqualified people calling themselves DOGE candidates are faced with the many problems our schools now have.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGd_XSEg1NY

Concluding….

I recently attended a meet and greet with Jonathan Bove and Kris Woodcock, who both bring impressive qualifications, as well as being really engaging and normal folks. Also, I remember Cancienne’s awkward performance at a candidate forum last year; it felt like he somehow signed up for the wrong election—one he has no training or experience for and no interest in at all.  So, I’m definitely leaning toward Jonathan Bove in Place 4 and Kris Woodcock in Place 5.  However, I plan to attend the April 2 Candidate Forum (6:30PM, at the Rough Hollow Community Center), if only to identify the better option in Place 3, since to date Archer and Howard present an ugly rock/hard place choice.

SEVEN PROPOSITIONS 

The 7 Props are named with alphabetical letters, A through G.  Prop A deals with sales tax.  Props B-G are all proposed changes to Lakeway’s City Charter. 

If you are in a hurry, here is my advice on the 7 Props: Prop A is OK. Keep Lakeway the Best–VOTE NO on the Rest.   If you want more info, here you go….

Propositions mean a lot of reading and trying to make sense of convoluted legal language that may seem designed to fool us.  As a poll worker, I know that voters often get frustrated trying to figure out propositions at the polling place, sometimes giving up and not voting at all on propositions.  We can do better….

PROP A: Reauthorize sales tax of one fourth of one percent (1/4%) for maintenance of Lakeway’s streets.  

This is the EASY one—VOTE YES.  It is nothing new; this use of a tiny portion of sales tax has been in place for many, many years and helps Lakeway keep its streets repaired, which is good for all of us.  As noted above: Prop A is OK. 

If you want more info on Prop A, here is a recent article on the road sales tax.  Bee Cave and Lakeway voters to decide on approval of city road taxes in May 2/21/25 https://communityimpact.com/austin/lake-travis-westlake/government/2025/02/21/bee-cave-and-lakeway-voters-to-decide-on-approval-of-city-road-taxes-in-may/

Now, we are at the 6 proposed Charter changes.  And noted above, my advice is: VOTE NO on ALL 6 of them.

Props B, C, D, E, F, and G are all proposed changes to Lakeway’s City Charter that Council (often by a vote as narrow as 4:3) put on the ballot.  Having sat through MANY meetings on this, I think the 6 suggested changes range from dumb to dangerous.  Two of the changes FAILED to pass back in 2020, and Council is trying AGAIN to shove them down our throats. 

But, one change is even worse than that.  Prop F would eliminate Lakeway’s Board of Ethics.  Not change its members or how it functions—ELIMINATE it, by deleting all reference to it from the City Charter that has served Lakeway well for decades.  Because Lakeway suddenly doesn’t need ethical rules or a Board to enforce them?  Council says it will come up with an ethics ordinance later. Well, given how split and dysfunctional Council is as a whole, I fear all it will do is refer to State of Texas’ rules, which are the bare minimum.  So much for “Lakeway values.”  A proposed Charter change this bad tells me that NONE of the other changes can be trusted. 

But, here is the short version on all 6 proposed Charter changes.

PROP B: Changes the Residency Requirement for City Manager, so that he/she can live within the LTISD area, NOT just within Lakeway city limits.

This is one of the changes where residents already voted NO, back in 2020.  Council added the “within LTISD boundaries” language to try to slip it through this time. The argument for the change is that it can be pricey to live in Lakeway, so the City has to pay more for a local City Manager.  Well, there are many rental options here, as well as an ever-increasing number of new housing developments Council is approving these days that are said to be priced mid-range.  The fact is, the City Manager has immense power in Lakeway government, and I’m not comfortable having a non-resident wielding that power.  For instance, the City Manager sets the annual budget and proposes a property tax rate to finance it, for Council’s review.  I want the City Manager who is doing that to PAY LAKEWAY TAXES.  I also want the City Manager to deal with LAKEWAY TRAFFIC and abide by LAKEWAY ORDINANCES.  Someone living in Bee Cave, Hudson Bend, Spicewood, Dripping Springs, Briarcliff, etc. has none of those concerns.  VOTE NO.

PROP C: Eliminates the Office of City Treasurer.

Maybe current city staff can handle Treasurer functions, but this is one of several changes that are just too petty to go on the ballot.  Plus, residents voted this change DOWN in 2020, and Council should respect that.  VOTE NO.

PROP D: Changes the Approval Process for Police Department Policies and Procedures so the City Manager is in charge.

This boils down to power and accountability, and Prop D would shift that from Council to the City Manager.  Police Department oversight is too important to slide onto the City Manager’s plate, and giving Council a look at things on an annual basis only is ridiculous.  VOTE NO.

PROP E: Changes the Process so that the Mayor and each Council member nominates a person to ZAPCO for a one-year term.

The Charter says the Mayor appoints ZAPCO members, subject to Council approval, and that has worked well for decades.  The Mayor reviews credentials of those in the volunteer pool and puts qualified people on ZAPCO, with differing views yet creating a balanced group.  But now, certain Council members desperately want to be able to put their pals or their political allies on ZAPCO, who will vote their way on development issues.  If you want committee members reviewing developments with the best interests of Lakeway in mind, VOTE NO.

PROP F: Eliminates the Board of Ethics.

Lakeway should have a robust Ethics Code and a Board to enforce it, not a passing reference to state law with enforcement in county court.  That is the only way to preserve our Lakeway values. And, for the record, it was these 4 Council Members who voted to put this Charter change on the ballot: Kent O’Brien, Chris Forton, Jennifer Szimanski and Kelly Brynteson. VOTE NO.

PROP G: Eliminates the City Building Commission.

Maybe CBC doesn’t have much to do now, but this is too petty to be put on the ballot.  VOTE NO.

Concluding….

City of Lakeway has a page on the seven propositions.  It gives the legal language of each one.  For the 6 Charter changes, there is also an explanation (that may or may not help….).  The info is in both English and Spanish.  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2231/May-3-2025-Special-Election

Council had SEVERAL meetings on these Charter changes, but the one where final votes were cast and true colors shown was one Jan. 27. Go here to watch the video (click on Item 23): https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/326844

My March 1 blog debuted the local election section with coverage of the 7 Propositions is greater detail than above.  Go here for more: https://ninawriteorwronginlakeway.com/march-1-2025-my-march-1-blog-covers-lakeways-fun-civic-and-useful-events-and-debuts-a-new-section-on-the-may-3-local-election-plus-cool-space-news-and-images-womens-rights-u/

Remember—leaving the ballot box blank does nothing.  Only YES and NO votes are counted.

So, this is how I’m voting on Lakeway’s 7 Propositions: Prop A is OK.  Keep Lakeway the BEST–VOTE NO on the REST. Feel free to pass it along!

Daring Mighty Things   

                          

The above image of a Blood Moon was taken last Thursday night, Earth moved between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow and causing a total lunar eclipse.  (Image credit: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images.)  Photos: Across the U.S., sky gazers marvel at the blood moon lunar eclipse 3/14/25 https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2025/03/14/g-s1-53812/pictures-blood-moon-lunar-eclipse-last-night

On March 2, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost moon lander became the second private spacecraft ever to soft-land on the moon.  In the above image (credit: Firefly Aerospace), that bright sphere in the distance is Earth.  The lander took 10 science experiments for NASA. ‘We’re on the moon!’ Private Blue Ghost moon lander aces historic lunar landing for NASA 3/1/25 https://www.space.com/the-universe/moon/were-on-the-moon-private-blue-ghost-moon-lander-aces-historic-lunar-landing-for-nasa

Shown above is the unlucky Athens, a probe launched by the Texas-based company Intuitive Machines, that toppled over on the moon’s uneven surface.  With its solar panels facing away from the sun, it soon lost power and was declared inert. (Image credit: Intuitive Machines.) Athena spacecraft declared dead after toppling over on moon 3/7/25 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/07/athena-spacecraft-mission-dead

Above is the Helix Nebula, the remains of a star similar to our Sun.  Dying, it lost most of its mass, with its core becoming a smoldering white dwarf shrouded by ejected stellar material.  (Image credit: NASA.)  But, it was also a mystery for 45 years, because Helix Nebula emitted a strong x-ray signal, and white dwarves don’t do that. Now, experts think the x-ray signals are from planetary debris pulled into the white dwarf as it destroyed a nearby planet.  Mystery solved! Odd X-ray signal was ‘death knell’ of planet destroyed by zombie star 3/5/25 https://www.space.com/the-universe/45-year-old-mystery-signal-was-death-knell-of-planet-destroyed-by-zombie-star-video

Along with the rest of the federal government, NASA is now undergoing a reduction in force, known as a RIF.  NASA’s Office of the Chief Scientist Office of Technology is gone, along with its Policy and Strategy office and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion office.  More bad news is expected, with the Trump administration planning to cut funding for NASA science programs in the next fiscal year, perhaps by as much as 50%. That “would be nothing short of an extinction event for space science and exploration in the United States,” per The Planetary Society.  (Image credit: NASA.)  NASA cutting programs, workforce to comply with Trump order 3/10/25 https://www.space.com/space-exploration/nasa-cutting-programs-workforce-to-comply-with-trump-order

AGAIN, Elon Musk’s Starship exploded soon after launching from South Texas, scattering debris that endangered planes in the air and people on the ground, closing down numerous airports as the FAA called a ground stop across most of Florida due to “falling space debris.”  (Image credits: Reuters and Facebook.)  As a result, air travel was re-routed across the eastern seaboard.  Flights at Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Orlando and other airports were delayed up to an hour. Test Flight 8 went the same disastrous way that Test Flight 7 did in January.  (Good thing Musk’s test flights are uncrewed, so far.)  SpaceX managed to catch the booster back on the launchpad.  But, Starship itself was supposed eject 4 payloads — dummy Starlink satellites—before concluding a 1-hour flight with a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean off Western Australia.  Instead, Starship experienced what Musk calls “rapid unscheduled disassembly”—it detonated just 9 minutes after launch.  That is exactly what happened with Flight 7.  Oddly, investigation into Flight 7’s failure is still ongoing, but the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration recently gave SpaceX permission to go for Flight 8; guess that is what happens with Musk effectively controlling—through DOGE—the federal government, including the FAA.  The debris from Flight 7 rained down on populated islands in the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos; Flight 8’s debris ended up nearby, in the Bahamas, in addition to putting most of Florida at risk.

The Starliner astronauts were THRILLED to get to stay a several months longer than planned at the ISS.  Sure, it was a bummer that their Boeing craft had technical issues that made using it for a ride home dangerous, but extra time and experience on the space station was a BONUS, not a penalty.  Being in space is what astronauts live for, after all, and they trained for this for decades.  The silly stories from the Trump administration about them being at risk and abandoned up there by the Biden administration until Musk could rescue them amounted to blatant propaganda, using NASA and dedicated scientists for political gain.  Listen to Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore tell their story, in this 11-minute podcast.  (Image credit: NASA.)  Two Astronauts on an 8-Day Mission That Turned Into a 9-Month Odyssey 3/14/25  https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/podcasts/the-daily/nasa-spacex-astronauts-iss-launch.html

After 2 launches were scrubbed for technical issues last week, SpaceX’s Dragon lifted off from Cape Canaveral on March 14, carrying 4 astronauts to the International Space Station.  (Image credit: Joe Skipper, Reuters.)  Next week, the craft will return to Earth, with 4 people onboard, including NASA astronauts to Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been working on the ISS since last June, when their craft, Boeing’s new Starliner, was deemed unsafe to ferry them home.  Since the presidential election, ugly accusations have swirled about the situation, despite clear statements to the contrary from those involved.  “We came prepared to stay long, even though we planned to stay short,” Wilmore said, adding that he did not believe Nasa’s decision to keep them on the ISS had been affected by politics. “That’s what your nation’s human spaceflight program’s all about,” he said, “planning for unknown, unexpected contingencies. And we did that.”  Crew lifts off on SpaceX mission to replace stuck Nasa astronauts 3/14/25 https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/mar/14/spacex-nasa-mission-international-space-station

With liberty and justice for all … except women.

Democracy Docket has a great article on Trump administration actions in ongoing litigation re: women’s reproductive health care rights and abortion.  Below is a quoted summary, but read the linked article for more info.

Last week, the Trump administration took action in three different court cases. Unsurprisingly, none of it is good. All three moves are ripped from the Project 2025 playbook written for the first 100 days of a Republican president’s term, which Trump tried to disavow on the campaign trail.

First, Department of Justice lawyers requested a 2-month extension on Monday in a lawsuit seeking to reimpose outdated restrictions on the abortion pill mifepristone — changes that would limit access nationwide by ending telemedicine prescriptions. There should be no need for an extension. It’s a case that the Biden DOJ asked a federal judge to dismiss in January after the Supreme Court decided last term that the original plaintiffs weren’t injured by the Food and Drug Administration’s actions on mifepristone and didn’t have legal standing to sue. 

Second, the administration asked on Tuesday to participate in Supreme Court arguments alongside South Carolina in a case about whether states can exclude Planned Parenthood from their Medicaid programs, even for non-abortion services. South Carolina seeks to disqualify any abortion provider from Medicaid because it claims that “payment of taxpayer funds to abortion clinics, for any purpose, results in the subsidy of abortion.” Arguments are on April 2. If the Supreme Court sides with the state, it would mean people with Medicaid can’t use their insurance at Planned Parenthood or other abortion providers, which would decimate people’s access to affordable birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and more. 

Third, the administration dismissed a lawsuit on Wednesday that Biden’s DOJ had filed against Idaho because its abortion ban violates a federal law regarding care in emergency rooms. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) requires any hospital that receives federal funds, which is most of them, to provide stabilizing care to patients. For pregnant women facing complications like their water breaking too early, that care can include abortion. But Idaho’s abortion ban prohibits terminating a pregnancy unless someone’s life is at risk — threats to their health aren’t enough. Trump Quietly Made 3 Chilling Moves Against Reproductive Freedom 3/12/25 https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/trump-quietly-made-3-chilling-moves-against-reproductive-freedom/

Back to me….     

Got something to say about what the federal government is doing these days?

Call the White House: 1-202-456-1414 (switchboard). 1-202-456-1111 (comments).

Call your senators and representatives. The Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121. The switchboard operator will connect you directly with the Senate or House office you request.                                

For the last 3 years and as long as it takes.   

A group of Lakeway area people connected on Facebook and started holding SUPPORT UKRAINE rallies around Lakeway, once or twice a week.  We wave Ukrainian flags or hold up signs, in highly-trafficked areas.  Sure, we get some hate; young men in pick-ups are especially rude, along with overly Botox’d women of a certain age in convertibles.  But, we get tons of friendly honks and folks who grin and give us a thumps up.  Best of all is when someone who is Ukrainian parks and walks over to tell us their story. 

Ukraine is America’s longtime ally, a small democracy invaded without provocation by a world super-power ruled by a ruthless dictator.  For 3 years, tiny Ukraine has withstood brutal and full-on attack, endlessly bombed and victimized by a myriad of documented war crimes, yet stubbornly holding the line and safe-guarding Europe against Russian incursion.  Russia is NOT our ally.  Sure, America has provided financial support; most of those funds were actually spent IN AMERICA, as Ukraine purchased weapons and ammunition from American manufacturers.  NOT A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER HAS DIED FIGHTING THIS WAR.  Who would NOT support Ukraine over Russia? 

People have asked about ways to help Ukraine.  Here are a few: 

With all the craziness flowing downhill from the federal government now, there is an unlimited number of things to protest, wave signs around on street corners over, or somehow try to change.  Ukraine is my hot button.  What is yours?  And, what are you doing about it?

Here are some photos I look recently of our deer herd.

Coronavirus Update 

Last week was the 5-year anniversary of Covid-19 (the SARS-CoV-2 virus) being declared a pandemic, and of life in America coming to an abrupt stop, changing everything large and small.  Some of the changes lasted weeks, others lasted months, and some of the changes are still with us even after 5 years. (Image credit: SARS-CoV-2 virus, CDC.)  March of 2020 was certainly memorable; we all know where we were and what we were doing when Covid hit.  The anniversary prompted a lot of journalism on what happened 5 years ago, and how that still colors life today.  Here is a sampling of articles:

Covid-19 activity continues to decline.  On data updated as of March 8, all indicators fell.  https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

As of March 8, national wastewater viral activity decreased.  Nationally, levels improved, moving from Moderate to Low.  Texas as a state also improved, going from High to Moderate.   https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/index.html

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