Posted on by Nina Davis

My April 12 blog covers Lakeway’s spring schedule of entertainment, events, meetings and more in April and May, plus an updated section on the LOCAL ELECTION (3 school board races and 7 propositions), cool space news and images, new deer photos, Covid update, and more.

Here is what is happening in Lakeway.   

The special section on our LOCAL ELECTION is just below, after the newsy items and Lakeway events you don’t want to miss.

Masterpiece Concert at LAC

Lakeway Arts Committee presents a FREE concert 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.

Art at the library

Throughout April, local artist Barbara Pence has her oils on display in the meeting room at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing).

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

Calling all ARTISTS—Register for ArtWALK by DEADLINE of April 18.


Artists of all types can sign up now to participate in 2025’s ArtWALK. Deadline to register is Friday, April 18, and there is a $35 booth fee.  The ArtWALK eventtakes place May 16-18, showcasing art, music, community and culture in Lakeway.  Info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2129/ArtWALK

Council Meets April 21, 6:30PM at City Hall.

Lakeway Council next meets on April 21.  A few days prior, check here, scrolling City Council Agenda and Meeting Packet: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

EARLY VOTING April 22-29

Election Day is May 3, but registered voters can VOTE EARLY on April 22-29, 7AM-7PM (except noon to 6PM on Sunday).  As always, Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) is our closest polling place.  Other area locations include Bee Cave City Hall (4000 Galleria Parkway) and Lake Travis ISD Educational Development Center (607 RR 620N at Kollmeyer).  If you requested a Mail-In Ballot but prefer to vote in person, BRING THE MAIL-IN BALLOT with you to the polls, so it can be cancelled.  Lakeway voters have 7 Propositions and 3 School Board races on their ballots.  See the Local Election section below for FULL INFO. 

Enchanted Forest Walk

April 21-27, dawn to dusk, take a stroll through the Hurst Creek Sculpture Garden to find wee fairy and gnome homes scattered among magical trees and twinkling lights.  The Enchanted Forest Walk is self-guided and FREE. Parking is available at Hurst Creek Sculpture Garden (104 Cross Creek). Info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1816/Enchanted-Forest-Walk

Shrek Movie Night

Come see Shrek, up on a giant LED screen, on Friday, April 25, starting at 6PM.  Location is Hurst Creek Sculpture Garden (next to the Lakeway Justice Center at 104 Cross Creek).  FREE EVENT!  Popcorn will be provided; a local vendor will be selling pizza. Info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2234/Shrek-Movie-Night

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.  More info here:  https://www.lakewaysings.com/events

TexArts Productions

TexArts presents its 2025 productions 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 26-May 4: Alice in Wonderland JR.
  • July 11-Aug. 10: Bye Bye Birdie

Lakeway needs VOLUNTEERS.

Want to volunteer to help the city put on seasonal events, arts programs, and more?  Interested in serving on a committee?  Go here for info and to apply: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/849/Volunteer

Lake Travis Democrats

  • April 28–Monthly Meeting, Social at 6PM, meeting starts at 6:30PM, at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). Speaker: Zach Despart, an enterprise and investigative reporter focusing on state government for the Texas Tribune.
  • April 29–Banned Book Club, 6:30PM at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing). Book: How We Learn to Be Brave by Mariann Edgar Budde. This book is an inspirational guide to the key junctures in life that, if navigated with faith and discernment, pave the way to become our most courageous selves.
  • May 4–Picnic in the Park, 2-3:30PM at the Lakeway City Park. Come enjoy music, food, guest speakers and more.
  • Check here for more info: https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/

MAY 3 is Election Day

If you didn’t vote during Early Voting or by mail, remember to drop in at Lakeway Activity Center on Saturday, May 3, 7AM-7PM to cast your vote in the local election.  If you requested a Mail-In Ballot but prefer to vote in person, BRING THE MAIL-IN BALLOT with you to the polls, so it can be cancelled.  Lakeway voters have 7 Propositions and 3 School Board races on their ballots.  See the Local Election section below for FULL INFO. 

Lemonade Day

Lakeway kids interested in setting up lemonade stands are encouraged to sign up for the City’s first Lemonade Day, on Saturday, May 3.  Go here for info and to register your stand so the city can promote it: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2228/Lemonade-Day

Pecan Street Festival comes to Hill Country Galleria.

On May 3-4, due to problems with its usual downtown Austin venue, the 50th Annual Spring Pecan Street festival takes place at Hill Country Galleria.  With FREE parking and FREE admission, the festival features arts and crafts vendors, music, food, entertainment and more. Info here: https://pecanstreetfestival.org/event-info/

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at LAC

Head over to Lakeway Activity Center on Sunday, May 4 from 1-3PM for a celebration including tacos, a margarita machine, a live mariachi band, a piñata for the kids, and more.  Entry fee is $10, and the event is limited to the first 200 guests. Go here for more info and to REGISTER: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2118/Cinco-de-Mayo

Commemorate Victory in Europe Day.

On May 8, at noon, come to Lakeway Heritage Park (963 Lohmans Crossing Rd.) for a special wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and the end of WWII.  More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2238/WWII-Commemoration-Events

Donate at the Lakeway Community Blood Drive.

The next blood drive at Lakeway Activity Center is on Saturday, ­­­May 10, 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!

Walk-ins are welcome (up until 11am), but those with appointments have priority. You can make an appointment to donate by entering your zip code here:  https://weareblood.org/donor/schedule/

Need tech help?

Stop by Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing) from noon to 2PM Monday-Thursday and work with one of the volunteer tech coaches.  FREE service!  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/

Aloha Day at the Swim Center

On Saturday, May 25, 5-7PM, head over to Lakeway Swim Center (3103 Lakeway Blvd.) for an Aloha Pool Party with music, fun and food.  Daily fees apply.  More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1835/Aloha-Pool-Party

Memorial Day Observance in Lakeway

City of Lakeway’s Memorial Day Ceremony will be held Monday, May 26, 11 AM, at Emmaus Catholic Church, remembering and honoring military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.  More info to come here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2141/Memorial-Day

Garage Sale

The next community garage sale is Saturday, May 31, from 8AM to noon, at Lakeway Activity Center.  Admission is FREE, but in the LAC lobby you can drop off non-perishable or canned food items, 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?  LAC members can reserve a per booth starting April 15 ($30); non-members can reserve a booth starting April 29 ($35).  Call 512-261-1010 to reserve a booth, space permitting.

Drop off Unwanted Medication at Lakeway Police Station

Monday through Friday, 8AM-5PM, residents can drop off expired/unwanted controlled pharmaceuticals AND over the counter medications at Lakeway Police Station (1941 Lohmans Crossing).  Just go inside, and the volunteer at the reception desk will assist in depositing items into the secure bin.  (Liquids and needles are NOT accepted.)

Register NOW to participate in Lakeway’s July 4 Parade.

Celebrating 50 YEARS as a beloved tradition in Lakeway, our 2025 parade will be held on Friday, July 4.  The theme is: Lakeway: A Golden Legacy.  Register now (FREE of charge), to participate.  More info and registration here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/718/July-4th-Celebration

May 3 LOCAL ELECTION 

Lakeway has a local election coming up.    

  • Election Day: Saturday, May 3.
  • Early Voting: April 22-29.
  • WHERE can I vote?  Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) is our 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.
  • If you requested a Mail-In Ballot but prefer to vote in person, BRING THE MAIL-IN BALLOT with you to the polls, so it can be cancelled. 
  • So, what’s on the ballot?  Lakeway’s ballot has 7 Propositions, as well as 3 LTISD Board races.  Below are sections with info on the School Board races and on 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. 

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

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

For several years, Archer has been supported by Gov. Abbott’s pro-voucher group, Lake Travis Families PAC.  Her election site is here: http://www.archerforlt.com/  

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/   He 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. Her 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 Dr. 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

V4P also created a series of new videos (just 2 minutes each).  They provide background on the school board as well as the 3 current races, including how Jennifer Fleck’s far-right group, We the People (which promoted book-banning for years), is running ultra-conservative candidates for school board in all 3 races–Howard, Severance and Cancienne, proudly marketing them as “DOGE Candidates.”  The videos also compare the candidates in Place 4 and Place 5 on qualifications, stances on transparency and book bans, dedication to fight bullying and promote teacher retention, and more.  They also compare the candidates with education credentials AND solid fiscal experience to those backed by money-wasting book banners and voucher supporters.  Here are the 4 videos: 

Concluding…. 

The LTISD Candidate Forum was held in Rough Hollow on April 2, and it was excellent.  If you missed it, here is a link to watch in full.   Five of the 6 candidates attended; Place 3’s incumbent, Erin Archer, had a conflict.  Total run time is 1 hour, 39 minutes.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUt4leTrYF4

I attended the April 2 Candidate Forum.  Here is my take on the event:

PLACE 4: John Severance frequently READ his answers to questions, which was a red flag for me.  He didn’t just consult notes to double-check dollar amounts or statistics; he read full paragraphs.  It betrayed a lack of passion and made me wonder who wrote the text in the first place.  His stated reasons for wanting to serve on the school board also struck me as odd; he has no training or experience in education, and his kids never attended LTISD.  It sounds to me like he retired, got bored, and happened on the school board as something to do with his free time.  Sorry—our schools deserve better.  That is why I’m voting for Jonathan BOVE in Place 4; his answers demonstrated deep knowledge, competence, and passion for our schools.  His education training PLUS his current work managing large numbers of people and handling big budgets will be valuable on school board.

PLACE 5: Craig Cancienne made the odd decision to STAND UP every time it was his turn to answer a question.  The other candidates remained seated together behind the big table in the front of the room, creating a nice ambiance of colleagues gathered to discuss the issues.  But, Cancienne broke the mood, over and over, standing up and announcing his views in a booming oratory style that did NOT suggest he would be effective as part of a working group.  Worse, just like in last year’s forum when he ran against Dr. Phillip Davis, Cancienne said nothing that told me he was qualified for school board or even explained WHY he wanted to be there.  So, I’m voting for Kris WOODCOCK in Place 5.  Her thoughtful answers were based on years of classroom experience as a teacher and demonstrated smart practicality that the school board really needs.  She knows what LTISD must do to excel; plus, she is devoted to the kids, while respecting both teachers and parents.

PLACE 3: Both candidates are supported by groups I distrust.  At the Forum, Jessica Howard (We the People) wasn’t as bad as I had feared, and at least she showed up.  Her incumbent opponent, Erin Archer (Lake Travis Families PAC), had another commitment.  I’m voting for Archer, but UGH—what a nasty choice.

7 Propositions 

Propositions mean a lot of reading and trying to make sense of convoluted legal language that may seem designed to trick 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 continues a sales tax for road repair.  Props B-G are all proposed changes to Lakeway’s City Charter. 

My advice on the 7 Propositions is simple: Prop A is OK.  Keep Lakeway the BEST–VOTE NO on the REST.  Here is more information, so you can decide how to vote BEFORE you go to the polls.

PROP A: Reauthorize sales tax of one fourth of one percent to maintain Lakeway’s streets. 

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

There are SIX suggested Charter changes, Props B through G.  Having sat through MANY Council meetings on this, I think the 6 suggested changes range from dumb to dangerous.  Two of the changes FAILED to pass back in 2020, but Council is trying AGAIN. 

One proposition tells the story.  Prop F eliminates Lakeway’s Board of Ethics.  Not changing its members or how it functions—ELIMINATING 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. Given how split Council is, it will likely just adopt State of Texas’ rules, which are the bare minimum.  So much for “Lakeway values.”  With a proposed Charter change this bad, can any of the others be trusted?

Briefly, here are all 6 propositions to change the Charter:

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. 

Residents already voted NO on this, back in 2020.  Council added the “within LTISD boundaries” language to try to slip it through this time.  Our City Manager has immense power in Lakeway government, and a non-resident should not wield that power.  For instance, the City Manager sets the annual budget and proposes the property tax rate to finance it, for Council review. Our City Manager should pay LAKEWAY TAXES.  Our City Manager should deal with LAKEWAY TRAFFIC and abide by LAKEWAY ORDINANCES.  Someone living in Bee Cave, Hudson Bend, Briarcliff, Spicewood, Dripping Springs, 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 surely an extra set of expert eyes reviewing the city’s massive expenditures and revenues would be a benefit.  Also, this is one of several changes 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, which has worked well for decades.  Currently, 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, certain Council members desperately want to put their pals or their political allies on ZAPCO, who will vote their way on development issues.  If you want ZAPCO members to review 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 haphazard enforcement in county court. (See above for more on Prop F.)  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.

More info here: 

Daring Mighty Things      

                        

Recently, our Moon visited Seven Sisters in the Pleiades.  Actually, from Earth’s perspective, the Moon passed in front of the Pleiades star group, which is located very, very far away. But, it made a pretty picture.  (Image credit: Cayetana Saiz.)  https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250408.html

The FAA let SpaceX run the investigation into the “mishap” of Starship 7 exploding soon affter launch back on Jan. 16, rubber-stamping its conclusion that the problem was unexpected vibration AND that SpaceX’s proposed fixes were adequate to prevent it happening again.  And yet—on March 6 Starship 8 ALSO exploded soon after launch, in identical conditions.  Wonder how FAA will explain THAT in its next report….  FAA closes investigation into SpaceX Starship Flight 7 explosion 3/31/25 https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/faa-closes-investigation-into-spacex-starship-flight-7-explosion

The above image shows tech billionaire Jared Isaacman at his April 9 Senate confirmation hearing. (Image credit: Ken Cedeno/Reuters.)  Isaacman has no NASA experience, as well as no scientific, flight or military training.  But, Trump named him to operate NASA.  What Isaacman does have, of course, is money–lots of it, enough to pay SpaceX to fly as a tourist on TWO of its early flights.  Isaacman’s Senate chat indicated he will steer NASA away from returning to the moon, as planned for NASA’s Artemis program in the next 2 years.  Instead, Isaacman favors concentrating on getting humans to Mars, which is no surprise since that is Elon Musk’s mania.  (When Trump nominated Isaacman, Musk was in residence at Mar-a-Lago.) Isaacman is also heavily invested in SpaceX, which is just one of several private companies NASA does business with, raising conflict of issue questions.  The Senate is due to vote on this nomination in May. Trump’s unconventional NASA pick signals Mars intentions in confirmation hearing 4/9/25 https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/09/science/nasa-administrator-hearing-jared-isaacman/index.html

This is rich (in so many ways).  Elon Musk recently came out against “troubling” budget cuts that Trump is threatening to make on NASA.  (The OMB shows NASA’s overall budget cut by 20%, and NASA would lose 50% of its science agency funding.)  After heading up DOGE and (as he gleefully characterized and play-acted it) taking a chainsaw to foreign aid to feed and immunize the poor worldwide, gutting Social Security, ending Voice of America, decimating FEMA, and MUCH more, Musk finally got to experience having his own per personal and highly lucrative ox gored.  That ox is SpaceX, which is one of NASA’s largest contractors. Proposed federal funding cuts would derail Musk’s dream of using NASA to colonize Mars with optimized humans. (Image credit: Getty.)  Musk calls Trump’s looming NASA cuts ‘troubling’ 4/11/25 https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/11/elon-musk-nasa-trump-cuts-00008187

Environmentalists are fighting the US military’s plan to install commercial rocket landing pads for SpaceX to use on Johnston Atoll (shown above), a remote Pacific island located 825 miles southwest of Hawaii.  Johnston Atoll serves as an important refuge for seabirds; it is home to the largest known colony of Red-tailed Tropicbirds and many other species.  Designated a refuge for native bird populations in 1926, the atoll suffered environmental degradation through 2004, due to its use by the U.S. military as a nuclear weapons testing and chemical weapons disposal site. Since the military’s departure from the islands, restoration efforts have helped raise Johnston Atoll’s bird population back to nearly 1.5 million. Now, critics say the planned new rocket infrastructure could undo decades of conservation work. Seabirds fly for thousands of miles across open water to reach Johnston Atoll, which sits alone amidst more than 570,000 square miles of ocean. Often, it is the only land these birds see in their entire lives.  Per an expert: “Installing rocket landing pads on Johnston Atoll cannot occur without significantly disrupting wildlife. … The proposed 10 rocket landings per year would pose serious ecological risks, including hazardous debris, contamination, noise pollution, and other impacts from potential failures and explosions.  …  Opening Johnston’s airstrip to planes would destroy the ground-nesting seabird colonies that have reclaimed the entire runway.”  (Image credit: GEO Magazine.)  Conservationists raise alarm over Air Force plan to land SpaceX Starships on bird sanctuary atoll 4/9/25  https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/conservationists-raise-alarm-over-air-force-plan-to-land-spacex-starships-on-bird-sanctuary-atoll

Back to me….   

                                    

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

Local SUPPORT UKRAINE rallies have expanded to protesting DOGE, tariffs, the dismantling of Social Security, the US suddenly disappearing people, and so much more mayhem the current administration is causing—as well as supporting Ukraine.  Rallies continue in Lakeway, roughly once a week.  If you want to participate, message me for details.

Here are photos I look recently of our deer herd.  The key is to get out EARLY in the mornings….

Coronavirus Update

Covid-19 activity continues be low and stable.  On data updated as of April 5, all indicators were flat or dropping a bit.  https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

As of April 5, wastewater viral activity remained at LOW levels, nationally.  In Texas, viral activity dropped, from MODERATE to LOW.   https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/index.html

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