May Ukraine Have Peaceful Skies Again.
Here is what’s happening in Lakeway….
Council meets Monday, Nov. 6
Lakeway Special Council Meeting on Monday, November 6, 6:30pm, at City Hall.
Consequential Agenda items include:
ITEM 5: Parks Strategic Plan and Funding Discussion—8 proposed projects, costing nearly $29MIL, to be further explored at a Dec. 7 Town Hall.
ITEM 6: Comprehensive Plan Update (with funding of $250K).
ITEM 7: Revising the ordinances as to temporary signs/banners in commercial districts.
ITEM 8: Discussion on creating a Youth Council.
ITEM 9: Executive Session on certain city employees: City Manager, City Attorney, Municipal Judges, and Municipal Prosecutor.
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
Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 7
LOCAL VOTING LOCATIONS:
Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek), Lake Travis ISD Education Development Center (607 RM 620 N.), Bee Cave City Hall (4000 Galleria Parkway).
BALLOT ITEMS:
— Lake Travis ISD bond package for $143 MILLION to fund expansion and upgrade of athletic facilities for the existing middle and high school campuses as well as the district’s second high school. This Community Impact article has details: https://communityimpact.com/austin/lake-travis-westlake/education/2023/08/30/lake-travis-isd-bond-election-to-determine-future-of-district-athletic-facilities/
—Travis County Bond package. Proposition A is $233 MILLION for roads. Proposition B is $276 MILLION for parks. This Community Impact article has details: https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/government/2023/08/17/travis-county-residents-to-vote-on-5095m-bond-package-for-roads-parks-this-november/
—14 Propositions to Amend the Texas Constitution. This Texas Tribune article has good info on all 14 propositions: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/15/texas-constitutional-amendment-voter-guide/
Puzzle Exchange
On Saturday, Nov. 11, 10:30-11:30AM, take your gently used jigsaw puzzles to Lake Travis Community Library and swap them for other puzzles that are new to you.
Lakeway’s Veterans Day Observance
On Saturday, Nov. 11, at 11 AM, Lakeway gathers at Lake Travis Performing Arts Center (3324 RR 620 South) to honor military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Hosted by Mayor Kilgore, the ceremony will feature patriotic music and remarks by guest speaker T. “Jerry” Curtis, COL (R) USAF. More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1426/Veterans-Day-Ceremony
TexArts Academy Series Productions
This Lakeway arts powerhouse produces a series of musical productions featuring its youngest performers. Go here for info and tickets: https://www.tex-arts.org/our-season
Nov. 11-12: Finding Nemo Kids (grades 1-4)
Dec. 1-2: The Lightening Thief (grades 5-7)
Dec. 8-10: Xanadu Jr. (grades 8-12)
Lake Travis Democrats Club
CHRISTMAS Party: Join local Dems to celebrate the holidays and gear up to GO BIG in 2024! The party will be on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 6PM, at the La Quinta in Lakeway. BUT–tickets are available NOW at the DISCOUNTED Early Bird price of $25; in addition to a taco dinner, there will be a silent auction, entertainment, and a donation bar. Go here today to get your tickets: https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/event-details/holiday-party-1
Nov. 14: Monthly Meeting, 6:30PM at Lakeway Activity Center. (Yes, that is a week early, to avoid the busy Thanksgiving week.) The speaker will be Texas House Representative James Talarico.
Nov. 28: Banned Book Club, 6:30PM at Lake Travis Community Library. This month’s book is City of Thieves by David Benioff.
Movie Night: To Be Determined. Check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for updates.
Happy Hour: Cancelled for December. But, the event will return to The Sonesta’s Meridian 98 bar in early January.
2024 SYMPHONY TICKETS for sale starting Nov. 15
A Night With The Austin Symphony Orchestra” concert with LTISD high school musicians is set for Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 4PM.
SANTA’S hot tip for a great Christmas gift: Early Bird tickets go on sale Wed., Nov. 15 at $50 / $30 / $15. The VIP package is $200 (4 tickets, VIP Buffet Dinner on Saturday, March 2 where you will have the chance to meet the musicians, Maestro Peter Bay and other dignitaries).
Go here for info: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1960/A-Night-with-the-Austin-Symphony-Orchest
DONATE BLOOD
The next blood drive at Lakeway Activity Center is on Saturday, Nov. 18, 8AM-noon. The event is always well organized, clean and friendly. You will be done and out the door in 30 minutes. It is an important cause and helps countless people, ESPECIALLY NEEDED OVER THE HOLIDAYS. 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/
Artist Reception at Lakeway City Hall
On Monday, Nov. 20, 5:30-6:30PM, enjoy local art and light refreshments in the lobby/art gallery of City Hall (1102 Lohmans Crossing Rd.). The local artist featured in November and December is Gordon Philipson.
Christmas Happenings
Lights On!
On Friday, Dec. 1, from 6-8PM, join all of Lakeway’s elves for the FIRST lighting of the Trail of Lights behind City Hall. There will be food, games, and live Bluegrass music. The fun will start in the parking lot at City Hall (corner of Sailmaster and Lohman’s), with Reindeer Games, cookie decorating and a marshmallow roast. FREE event, but consider bringing a donation of non-perishable food items to benefit Lake Travis Crisis Ministries. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be nearby to fire up the Trail of Lights display and chat with the good little boys and girls of Lakeway. No pets, please. Bicycles, scooters, skateboards and motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trail. Event parking is available at the adjacent Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). Info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1427/Lights-On
Trail of Lights
From Dec. 1-Jan. 1, 6PM to midnight, enjoy Lakeway’s own Trail of Lights. The self-guided Christmas lights trail runs behind City Hall (corner of Sailmaster and Lohman’s). Parking is available at the adjacent Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). FREE event. Info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/721/Trail-of-Lights
Sing Along’s Family Christmas Show
On Sunday, Dec. 3, attend either show, at 2P and at 4PM, at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) The event is FREE WITH DONATION of an unwrapped gift – especially sports equipment and dolls – for a child up to age 17. These gifts will be distributed to qualified area families by LTlov Green Santa Program volunteers. More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=4783&month=12&year=2023&day=3&calType=0
Grinch Movie
On Friday, Dec. 8, 6-8PM, watch the classic Dr. Seuss Grinch movie on the jumbo screen, at City Hall parking lot (corner of Sailmaster and Lohman’s). Plus–games, vendors, hot chocolate and see the Grinch himself.
Nutcracker Dances
On Sunday, Dec. 10, 4-5PM, Lakeway Arts Committee presents a FREE performance of excerpts from the Nutcracker Ballet.by Metamorphosis Dance, at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). More info here as the date approaches: https://lakewayartsdistrict.com/event/arts-in-the-afternoon-metamorphosis-dance-nutcracker/?instance_id=4555&_gl=1*gbb77s*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTIwMzYzNTczMy4xNjk2NjA3Nzc5*_ga_VZNV0ZBQKG*MTY5NjYwNzc3OC4xLjEuMTY5NjYwNzkzOS4wLjAuMA
Daring Mighty Things
Read up on the features visible in the night sky during all of November. (Image credit: Future.) Night sky, November 2023: What you can see tonight 11/1/23 https://www.space.com/16149-night-sky.html
Space Perspective will soon be ferrying tourists 19 miles up into the atmosphere. The Spaceship Neptune capsule holds 8 people and is carried aloft by balloons in a 6-hour flight. In order to help justify the $125K ticket price, the company is promoting its “space spa bathroom … featuring enhanced sound and odor control.” (Image credit: Space Perspective.) Space Perspective unveils ‘Space Spa’ restroom for balloon tourist flights 10/22/23 https://www.space.com/space-perspective-unveils-spaceship-neptune-restroom-images
The FAA has finally cleared SpaceX to launch its Spaceship again, after multiple malfunctions on its inaugural (and, happily, with no crew aboard) test flight from a South Texas launch pad last spring. But, another federal agency is still holding up the next unmanned test flight. In order to prevent a repeat of the damage caused by the high-combustion launch and the massive hail of debris from the very messy self-destruct detonation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is requiring Space X to complete an updated Biological Assessment under the Endangered Species Act. (Image credit: SpaceX via Twitter.) FAA wraps up safety review of SpaceX’s huge Starship rocket 10/31/23 https://www.space.com/faa-finishes-spacex-starship-safety-review
With liberty and justice for all … except women
The Nov. 7 elections include abortion measures in 2 states. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, abortion rights prevailed with voters in all 6 states—both red and blue—with abortion on the ballot. In red-leaning Ohio, there is a ballot measure amending the state’s Constitution to provide the right for every person to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions” before a fetus is viable outside the womb (usually around 23 or 24 weeks of pregnancy). In blue-leaning Virginia, the proposal is a 15-week abortion ban with exceptions for rape, incest and the life (but not health) of the mother. Voting on Abortions 11/2/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/02/briefing/abortion-access-ohio-vote.html
Conservatives are trying various strategies to keep abortion initiatives off the ballot. Failing that, they are resorting to dirty tricks. Voters in at Least 10 States Are Trying to Protect Abortion Rights. GOP Officials Are Throwing Up Roadblocks. 10/24/23 https://www.propublica.org/article/abortion-rights-ballot-initiatives-state-law
Women drove across several states to reach open clinics or they navigated the telemedicine process to obtain abortion pills. One way or the other, the abortion rate did NOT decrease in the year after Roe fell. In fact, it rose very slightly. (Image credit: WeCount.) Despite State Bans, Legal Abortions Didn’t Fall Nationwide in Year After Dobbs 10/24/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/24/upshot/abortion-numbers-dobbs.html
Back to me….
My new passport arrived, and I’m having some work done around the house. Plus, I’m planning a little vacation and doing an inordinate amount of retail therapy. Finally, loving the cooler temps and–finally–RAIN!
Our deer love the chilly days and even the rain. This year’s fawns are all grown up, just slightly shorter and thinner than the adults; of course, the boys just have wee nubs for antlers now. The does and the youngsters stick together, with bucks stomping around singly, due to rut season.
Here are some recent photos of our herd.
The Coronavirus
As of Oct. 14, the New York Times correlated the CDC’s statistics for the US, showing the summer numbers continuing to fall. Across the country, a daily average of 3,827 people were being hospitalized for Covid-19, which is a 12% DROP over 2 weeks. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/us/covid-cases.html
Recent Covid-19 Articles
—A new Covid variant has become dominant amid slow uptake of the updated shots 10/27/23 https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/new-covid-variant-dominant-slow-vaccine-uptake-rcna122361
—Vaccine data shows rates for latest COVID-19 booster is ‘abysmal’, only 7 percent of U.S. adults with shot 10/27/23 https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/vaccine-data-shows-rates-for-latest-covid-19-booster-is-abysmal-only-7-percent-of-u-s-adults-with-shot
—It’s Covid Season. What Are the New Rules for Staying Safe? 10/25/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/25/well/live/covid-symptoms-testing-treatment.html