Be brave like Ukraine.
Here is what is happening in Lakeway.
Lane Closures—Lohmans Spur
Utility work needs to be done related to the future extension of Lohmans Spur into the new City Center development area. As a result, the right northbound lane of Lohmans Spur, on BOTH sides of Lohmans Crossing, will be closed starting Oct. 7 and continuing for several weeks. Expect delays at the Lohmans Crossing light near the Police Station.
Band in the Hills Concert
On Sunday, Oct. 13 at 4PM, enjoy a FREE concert in the Hurst Creek Sculpture Garden. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks. Parking is available at the nearby Justice Complex (104 Cross Creek). More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1862/Sunday-Afternoon-Concert-Series
Origami Class at the Library
On Monday, October 14, 4:30PM, all ages are invited to Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing) to learn how to create seasonal origami shapes, thanks to Outreach Librarian Karen Ballinger. Learn to make a spooky ghost, bat, and pumpkin, just in time for Halloween.
Lake Travis Democrats Club
- SPECIAL Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 6:30PM at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) will be a WATCH PARTY for the Colin Allred/Ted Cruz DEBATE, plus Representative Vikki Goodwin and other Texas candidates who stop by.
- Phone Bank #1 on Saturday, Oct. 19, 1PM at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing). This event will remind folks that Early Voting starts soon! You can do this completely on your smart phone, but most people find it easier to use a laptop to access the database, so bring one if you can. Help us win in November by calling voters to remind them to vote!
- Banned Book Club on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 6:30PM at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing). Our book is Autocracy Inc. — The Dictators Who Want to Run the World, by Anne Applebaum.
- Phone Bank #2 on Saturday, Oct. 26, 3PM at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing). This event will remind folks who have not yet voted that time is running out! You can do this completely on your smart phone, but most people find it easier to use a laptop to access the database, so bring one if you can. Help us win in November by calling voters to remind them to vote!
- Check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for club activities each month.
Hazardous Waste Drop Off
On Wed., Oct. 16, 9:30AM-12:30PM, there is a FREE drop off of hazardous materials at Lake Travis Regional Reuse and Recycling Center (3207 Neidhardt Drive). This service is available to residents of Lakeway, Bee Cave and The Hills, plus customers of WCID 17, Hurst Creek MUD and Lakeway MUD. Bring photo ID or water bill as proof of eligibility. To be accepted, items MUST be in their original labeled containers (for proper disposal). For paint, 30 gallon containers (full or not) is the maximum per household. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Items NOT accepted include: light bulbs, medical waste such as needles and prescriptions drugs, ammunition, tires, electronics and more. (Full list of accepted and prohibited items is at the link below.) Use the following link (or call Lakeway Solid Waste at (512) 314-7514 or email solidwasteclerk@lakeway-tx.gov for assistance) to make a reservation: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACA728A1F4C07-51569315-household#/
Witches Ride
Time to fly! On Sat., Oct. 19, 5:30-9PM, bring bicycles, tricycles, unicycles, skates, scooters, wheelchairs, golf carts, wagons, or simply walking shoes and meet up at the Live Oak Golf Course’s Driving Range for a magical “flight” down Lakeway Drive. Spectators along the route will also have fun, catching candy treats. FREE EVENT. The PARADE starts at 6PM, followed by a CARNIVAL at Lakeway Activity Center, with food and beverage vendors, games, a dunk tank, euro-bungee, photo booth, a movie, and more. Info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/1882/Witches-Ride
Oktoberfest at the Galleria
On Sat., Oct. 19, 2-6PM, head over to the Hill Country Galleria’s Central Plaza Lawn for Oktoberfest fun, including live music, yard games, face painting, balloon art and contests, with festive foods and imported beers/local lagers on offer. Bring blankets and chairs to stay awhile. FREE admission. Go here for info: https://www.hillcountrygalleria.com/event/oktoberfest-at-hill-country-galleria/2145584735
Quilt Raffle for Library West—buy tickets in October.
During October, stop by the Friends Bookstore at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing) to buy a chance to win a quilt donated by the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Bee. Purchase one raffle ticket for $5 or three for $10 to raise funds for the library’s second location, West. The drawing will be held on Thursday, October 31, at noon.
Early Voting: Oct 21-Nov. 1
Plan to vote early Oct. 21-Nov. 1 and avoid waiting in LONG LINES on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 5, 7AM-7PM.) Lakeway’s closest voting location is the Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). The LAC polling place will open at 7AM and close at 7PM, EXCEPT on the last 2 nights (Oct. 31 and Nov. 1) closing time is 10PM. (Also, Sunday hours are noon-6PM.) You can vote early at any polling location in Travis County. (Note that LAC and just a few other busy locations are open late the last 2 nights, with 7PM the standard closing time.) When does early voting start? Here’s where Travis County voters can cast their ballot https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/elections/state/2024/09/03/travis-county-early-voting-locations-dates-2024-presidential-election/74983464007/
Lakeway Council next meets on Monday, Oct. 21.
Check for the Agenda, posted a few days in advance, here (scrolling down for City Council items): https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
Historical Bus Tours through Lakeway
These tours always fill up! Sign up early for a Lakeway historical bus tour, happening on Friday, Oct. 25, at 9:15AM, 11:15AM, and 1:15PM. FREE tours start at Lakeway City Hall, so you can also take a look inside the historic Liebelt Cabin. Go here for info and to register: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1171/Heritage-Trail
Nosferatu “A Symphony of Horror”
On Sat., Oct. 26 at 7PM, enjoy a classic horror film at Lakeway Activity Center. This vintage thriller will be accompanied by the Lake Travis High School Chamber Orchestra. Tickets are $7. Dress like a vampire for the contest! Concessions available. Go here for tickets (click on Events tab): https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTI5ODE3MTQ=
Lake Travis Public Safety Day AND Drug Take Back Initiative
On Sat., Oct. 26, from 11AM-2:30PM, head over to Lake Travis Elementary School (just off 620, at 15303 Kollmeyer Drive) for the 13th Annual Lake Travis Public Safety Day. FREE EVENT! This fun and educational event allows community members to interact with first responders and learn about what they do and the tools and resources they use to keep us all safe. Agencies attend from across Central Texas, bringing their helicopters, police cars, motorcycles, ambulances, fire trucks, rescue boats, ATVs, K-9’s, horses, fire mitigation equipment, incident command centers, SWAT apparatus, casualty tents, buses and more. Go here for info: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/529/Public-Safety-Day
PLUS, bring unwanted prescriptions and over-the-counter medications for secure disposal monitored by Lakeway Police Department. Full info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/500/Prescription-Take-Back-Initiative
Butler/Rough Hollow Park Plan Update Meeting
On Monday, Oct. 28, 6PM, stop by the Butler/Rough Hollow Park Plan Update Meeting at the Highland Village Pavilion (901 Highlands Blvd., next to the Rough Hollow Lakeway Welcome Center). Get an update on plans plus a timeline for completion on this Rough Hollow park, which was funded by the 2024 Lakeway Parks Bond. More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1969
Pumpkin Parade at the Library!
On Thursday, Oct. 31, 10:30-11:30AM, bring the little ones in costume to Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing). They can parade around and collect treats from scary stations.
Teen Art Contest—Entry Deadline is Nov. 1.
Lake Travis Community Library is sponsoring an art contest for students in grades 6 through 12. Just create an original piece of art inspired by your personal reading experience. Friends of the Library will provide cash prizes, and a selection of entries will be displayed in the library’s meeting room in December. Entry deadline is Nov 1. Go here for the rules and entry form: https://laketravislibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-Teen-Art-Contest-Brochure.pdf
Texas Arbor Day Tree Planting Event
Sign up now to participate on Sat., Nov. 2, at 10AM in Lakeway’s second time being part of Tree City USA. Residents will work with Parks and Rec Dept. to plant trees in Lakeway. Location for planting will be announced soon! Everyone gets a free lunch, but the first 30 folks to sign up will also get a tree to take home and plant. Get more info and sign up here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2079/Texas-Arbor-Day
TexArts Productions
TexArts has holiday and winter productions scheduled, all 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
- Nov. 2-Nov. 9: Roald Dalh’s Willy Wonka JR
- Nov. 22-Dec. 15: Elf–The Musical
- Feb. 14-March 2: Tick, Tick … Boom!
Puzzle Exchange at the library
On Saturday, Nov. 9, 10:30-11:30AM, drop by Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing) and swap out your jigsaw puzzles with ones that will be new to you. (All puzzles must be in good condition, well-packaged and include all pieces.)
Veterans Day Observance
Join the Lakeway community on Monday, Nov. 11, at 11AM, at the Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) to honor our military veterans. Check here for more details as the date nears: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2142/Veterans-Day
Daring Mighty Things
The above image shows Comet Tsuchinshan, which passed the Sun and is now approaching Earth. (Image credit: Daniel Korona.) It will be closest to us mid-October and visible then to the naked eye. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240930.html
Our Sun is going wild lately, emitting gigantic solar flares. The above image shows a flare on Oct. 8 (Image credit: NASA/SDO). These massive explosions cause eruptions of solar particles and magnetic fields, possibly disrupting power grids on Earth. But, the extreme solar activity will also give us gorgeous auroral displays (see below). Severe solar storm could supercharge auroras across US, impact power grids, NOAA warns 10/9/24 https://www.space.com/severe-solar-storm-geomagnetic-storm-auroras-power-grids-october-10-11-2024
The above image from New York resulted Oct. 10 from our Sun’s recent massive geomagnetic storm, as discussed and shown from the Sun’s perspective above. (Image credit: Getty Images/ Roy Rochlin.) This article has lots more gorgeous images. ‘It was 3 hours of magic’: Spectacular auroras thrill stargazers across the world (and internet) as intense geomagnetic storm batters Earth 10/11/24 https://www.space.com/spectacular-auroras-photos-thrill-skywatchers-from-geomagnetic-storm-october-2024
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requiring an investigation of the anomaly that a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket experienced during the Crew-9 astronaut launch for NASA on Sept. 28. The upper stage experienced off-nominal de-orbit burn after deploying the crew capsule; this resulted in the upper stage landing outside the targeted area of the ocean. SpaceX has been forced to pause launches until the matter is resolved. The company’s investigation will be overseen by the FAA, which said the inquiry is not optional. (Image credit: SpaceX.) FAA requires investigation of anomaly on SpaceX’s Crew-9 astronaut launch 10/1/24 https://www.space.com/faa-investigation-spacex-crew-9-launch-anomaly
Because of Hurricane Milton (shown above as seen from the ISS on Oct. 7), four astronauts will stay on the International Space Station a few days longer than planned. NASA postponed the return of SpaceX Crew 8, which docked with ISS on March 3, several times since Oct. 7 due to weather issues; currently, the earliest departure date is Oct. 13. The capsule will splash down in the Atlantic off the Florida coast, so NASA is hoping things calm down soon. (Image credit: NASA TV.) Hurricane Milton forces NASA, SpaceX to delay Crew-8 astronauts’ return to Earth 10/7/24 https://www.space.com/spacex-crew-8-astronauts-return-earth-delay-hurricane-milton
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
Harris/Walz on reproductive rights.
- On Oct. 6’s Call Her Daddy podcast, VP Harris talked about reproductive rights and much more. Here is an 8-minute video clip, where Harris stated her abortion stance, as well as what Trump has done and would do next on abortion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KCRsjPCiCI
- On Oct. 6, Gov. Walz had a strong outing on Fox News Sunday, firmly making the Democratic case for abortion: “The restoration of Roe versus Wade is what we’re asking. This puts the decision with the woman and her health care providers. … The real issue here is women being forced into miscarriages, women being forced to go back home, get sepsis, potentially die. Maternal mortality rates in Texas have skyrocketed off the charts because of this. This is bad policy. … They see it as an election issue. We see it as a right of women to make their own bodily decisions.” He also insisted Trump would sign an “outright nationwide ban.” (Image credit: Fox News.) Watch a short clip of the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEQrb4OOl-Q
- The Lincoln Project’s latest Harris/Walz ad on abortion as healthcare: Daisy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkaqA0KHj98
In Texas, the abortion ban is having a very negative effect on the OB-GYN workforce, per a study by a health care consulting firm. As a result, 20% of practicing OB-GYNs are considering leaving Texas, and 13% will retire early. In addition, a majority of medical residents specializing in OB-GYN say the abortion law is a factor in whether they will remain in Texas after training. ‘I could not help but cry’: Texas abortion bans causing 1 in 5 OB-GYNs to consider leaving 10/8/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/08/Texas-obstetrics-gynecology-abortion-survey/
The US Supreme Court ruled on Oct. 7 to ban abortions in Texas yet again. This time, SCOTUS said hospitals in Texas can continue to refuse emergency care for reproductive patients, while the Biden Administration appeals a January 5th Circuit Appeals Court decision against EMTALA. The Biden administration argues that a federal law, EMTALA, requires emergency rooms to provide abortions if a pregnant patient’s health or life is at serious risk, even in states where the procedure is banned. (The law applies to emergency rooms that receive Medicare funding, which most hospitals do.) Supreme Court declines Biden’s appeal in Texas emergency abortion case 10/7/24 https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-emergency-abortion-texas-bf79fafceba4ab9df9df2489e5d43e72
Louisiana became the first state to change the status of mifepristone and misoprostol, the 2 drugs used in medication abortion, to classified drugs. This status is used for drugs with a potential for dependency or abuse, such as Ambien or Xanax; mifepristone and misoprostol do not have that potential. However, possessing a classified drug without a prescription is a crime punishable by 5 years in prison. Abortion is already illegal in Louisiana, so the drugs can’t be prescribed for that. But, experts worry that the new law will limit the use of the drugs to treat other life-threatening conditions, putting women’s health at risk. The drugs are used to treat miscarriages, induce labor, prepare the cervix for surgical procedures and stop postpartum hemorrhaging — a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention and occurs in 5% of pregnancies. Even a short delay to access drugs with the controlled designation could cause patients to die. Worse, perhaps, is that providers feel the law is a “scare tactic,” to deter doctors and pharmacists from prescribing and dispensing the medications even when needed urgently. Louisiana’s new abortion pill law may delay lifesaving care for women, doctors say 9/30/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/louisianas-new-abortion-pill-law-may-delay-lifesaving-care-women-docto-rcna172673
After Trump’s SCOTUS killed Roe v. Wade in summer of 2022, Georgia had a 6-week abortion ban. Then, on Sept. 30 a Republican-appointed judge ruled that law was inhumane, as proven by the women dying from it; his ruling made abortion legal up to 22 weeks. That lasted just 7 days, when the Georgia Supreme Court reinstated the abortion ban on Oct. 7. Among other things, this proves that life or death matters CANNOT be left to the states or the whims of local judges. Georgia Supreme Court reinstates state’s 6-week abortion ban 10/7/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/georgia-supreme-court-reinstates-states-6-week-abortion-ban-rcna174336
“The Lighthouse” is a music video released by Stevie Nicks in late September. It doesn’t mention any medical procedure, but the lyrics about lost rights and power plus the images of sign-carrying abortion rights demonstrators make things very clear. In a written statement released with the song, Nicks explained she wrote it in response to the repeal of Roe v. Wade, as a rallying cry for women. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJDCYh5iWQs “This is an anthem,” Nicks said. Stevie Nicks Releases Anthemic Response to the Reversal of Roe v. Wade, ‘The Lighthouse’ 9/26/24 https://variety.com/2024/music/news/stevie-nicks-lighthouse-single-women-roe-wade-1236157494/
Blood of the Lamb, by playwright Arlene Hutton opened its New York premiere Off-Broadway at 59E59 Theaters September 23. Margot Bordelon is directing. Inspired by the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, the thriller is set in a Dallas airport, where a pregnant woman finds herself detained and up against an unexpected adversary: a court-appointed attorney assigned to represent the unborn child. Performances continue through October 20. Abortion Rights Thriller Blood of the Lamb Opens New York Premiere 9/23/24 https://playbill.com/article/abortion-rights-thriller-blood-of-the-lamb-opens-new-york-premiere-at-59e59-september-23
Back to me….
I’ve been busy with Precinct Chair stuff, including delivering yard signs and block walking. We have had some great volunteers this year, which is super!
Phone banking is coming up soon; anyone wanting to help should check the Lake Travis Dems blurb near the top of the blog for dates and times.
As for yard signs, supply is nearly gone, but if you need a Harris/Walz or Colin Allred sign, email macwestie99@gmail.com
REMEMBER, Early Voting starts Monday, Oct. 21, at Lakeway Activity Center (and the other usual area locations). See you at the polls!
Here in Lakeway, I saw the same happy little deer group (two bucks, several does and a few fawns of both genders nearly all grown up) on Vanguard two mornings running last week, and I got these photos.
Coronavirus Update
Great news–Covid-19 continues to subside. All 4 indicators (test positivity, ER visits, hospitalizations and deaths) were solidly falling as of Oct. 5. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
As of Oct. 5, national wastewater viral testing dropped to LOW (and Texas as a state tested LOW as well). https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/index.html
Have you gotten the UPDATED Covid-19 shot? Last Wednesday, I had an appointment at HEB Pharmacy here in Lakeway and got an updated Covid-19 shot AND a flu shot, in record time. If you want to be protected from winter ills, start here: https://www.heb.com/pharmacy/vaccinations
This new vaccine was formulated to work against recent variants, so everyone is urged to get vaccinated. Consider getting it along with your annual flu shot. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for the best timing, if you recently had Covid or recently got vaccinated. New COVID, flu vaccines arrive in Austin 8/31/24 https://www.statesman.com/story/news/healthcare/2024/08/28/covid-flu-vaccine-2024-near-me-austin-texas-tips-pharmacy-doctors-office/74965044007/
Still need Covid test kits? FREE Covid Test Kits are available again. The federal government will ship you 4 test kits via USPS, for no charge. Go here and complete your name and mailing address: https://special.usps.com/testkits