Be brave like Ukraine.
So much of the Middle East is considered HOLY GROUND, by multiple religions. Surely it can be shared in peace, instead of desecrated with endless bloodshed.
Here is what’s happening in Lakeway….
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. Tickets are available NOW at the DISCOUNTED Early Bird price of $25; in addition to 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
Oct. 23: Movie Night, 3PM at the Hill Country Galleria Cinemark. Movie: Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. Meet in the lobby after the movie for a discussion with food and/or drink plus lively discussion at a local restaurant.
Oct. 24: Banned Book Club, 6:30PM at Lake Travis Community Library. This month’s book is KENT STATE – FOUR DEAD IN OHIO by Derf Backderf.
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.
Happy Hour is generally the first Thursday of each month. Check the website and catch us next month! https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/
New PICKLEBALL Courts are OPEN
On Monday, Oct. 23, at 4PM, join city officials and pickleball devotees at the new City Park Pickleball Courts for a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The new pickleball courts opened on Oct. 14 at Lakeway City Park. (Image credit: City of Lakeway.) They are in the old basketball court location, across from the dog park and near the lower level parking. Hours are 7AM-9PM. Currently, there is no reservation system, so use is on a first come, first serve basis. (The old pickleball courts along Sailmaster are now closed, and being re-purposed back to basketball.)
November Election
DATES:
— Early Voting: Oct. 23-Nov. 3.
— Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 7.
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
— Any other polling place in Travis County
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/
Lakeway Players present: Deathtrap
On Oct. 26, 27, 28, 8PM at the Lakeway Activity Center, The Lakeway Players will perform Ira Levin’s twisty comedy-thriller classic. Tickets are $25 each, with assigned tables. To purchase, go here and click on City Events & Performances: https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog
HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS
–Haunted Trail (for older kids, age 13 and up): On Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27-28, 7-9PM, get spooked at this FUN and FREE event hosted for kids 13 and up by the City of Bee Cave. Location is 3702 RM 620 South; park at Target, with the trail starting behind Chick-fil-A. Go here for info: https://www.facebook.com/cityofbeecave/
–Kiddie Halloween Trunk-or-Treat (for younger kids): On Sunday, Oct. 29, 4-6PM, families with younger kids can pick up candy and goodie bags from area businesses after parking at Target. Another FUN and FREE event hosted by the City of Bee Cave, this one caters to the younger set, with a mini train ride, face painting and free giveaways. Go here for info: https://www.facebook.com/cityofbeecave/
–Halloween Parade: On Tuesday, Oct. 31, 10:30-11:30AM, bring your little ones to Lake Travis Community Library. They can wear a costume, parade around the library, and visit spooky stations to collect treats.
Public Safety Day–get hands-on with firetrucks and a Starflight helicopter!
On Saturday, Oct. 28, take the family to join the fun at the 12th annual Public Safety Day, presented by our first responders. At Lake Travis Elementary School (15303 Kollmeyer Drive), from 11AM-2:30PM, this FREE EVENT lets folks visit with local Police and Fire and Rescue personnel AND check out their rigs and equipment. Plus, there will be a live fire demonstration. Also, drop off unwanted medication—see item below for details. Enjoy live music, food vendors, a bounce house, animal balloons, face painting and lots more fun for all. Kids can even dress for Halloween!
Prescription Take Back Day
On Saturday, Oct. 28, 10AM-2PM, at Lake Travis Elementary School (15303 Kollmeyer Drive) drop off old/unwanted medications to be destroyed safely. FREE and open to the public. Just bring meds in the original container, crossing out any personal information. OR—you can remove the medication from the container and dump it directly into the disposal box. This program is anonymous and no questions or requests for identification will be made. No effort will be made to count, inventory, or log medications. ITEMS ACCEPTED: Controlled, uncontrolled and over-the-counter medications including vitamins, herbal supplements, pet medication and liquid products (such as cough syrup). NO COMMERCIAL ITEMS WILL BE ACCEPTED. For more info, contact Lakeway PD at 512-261-2800 or go here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/500/Prescription-Take-Back-Initiative
Sunday Afternoon Concert Series
On Sunday, Oct. 29, 4-5PM, this popular series continues at Lakeway Activity Center. A string quartet with Andrew Peace on cello, Bruce Williams on viola, Patrice Calixte on violin, and Sari Pearce on violin will perform pieces by Beethoven and Dvora. A reception will follow the performance. More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1862/Sunday-Afternoon-Concert-Series
Arbor Day
On Saturday, Nov. 4, at 10AM, celebrate Lakeway’s first year of being a part of Tree City USA, as well as Arbor Day. Join the Parks and Rec Department in planting trees on the Lakeway Boulevard median between Lakeway Drive and Lohmans Crossing Road. Get hands on experience and helpful tips for the trees at your home. Park at Lakeway Church (2203 Lakeway Blvd.). Everyone will get a free lunch, but the first 30 participants that sign up will go home with a 5 gallon tree as a gift. Sign up here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2079/Arbor-Day
Brush Recycling Offered 1st Thursday of Every Month
City of Lakeway offers free yard waste drop off for Lakeway residents the first Thursday of every month, at the Public Works Department (3303 Serene Hills Drive) 7AM-3:30PM. Limit is one pickup truck load of yard waste or up to one 8’X5′ pile. Go here for details, including what is accepted: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1584
OAK TRIMMING Season
Oak pruning is a violation of Lakeway ordinance February through June, due to higher likelihood then of spreading Oak Wilt. Trimming Oaks is allowed July-January. But, when trimming, pruning seal must be applied within 10 minutes to all cuts on all Oak trees. More info here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1059/Oak-Pruning-Schedule
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. Check here for more info as the date approaches: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1426/Veterans-Day-Ceremony
Mayor Kilgore’s Facebook Update
The mayor gave a live update on Oct. 12. Go here to watch: https://www.facebook.com/cityoflakeway/videos/340219591869629
House Watch
If you are traveling over the coming holidays OR only occupy your home here part-time, Lakeway Police Department provides a House Watch program, at no charge. Just let them know, and officers will perform close patrols of the address and contact you if anything appears suspicious. Call 512-261-2800 for info and go here to sign up: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1305/House-Watch-Request
Council Meeting
Council met on Monday, Oct. 16. All members attended the meeting, all in person.
ITEM 12: Financial Report.
As of the end of FY 2023, the city’s REVENUES were nearly $1.2M over what was anticipated (largely due to increased sales tax and sale of land to Lakeway MUD), while EXPENDITURES were just slightly ($174K) over budget. As a result, the year ended roughly $990K to the good.
ITEM 13: Citizens Participation for items NOT on the Agenda. NONE
ITEM 16: Presentation by Commissioner Ann Howard on the Travis County Bond (on the November ballot).
WATCH THE VIDEO (link is below) for details on Proposition A ($233 MILLION for roads) and on Proposition B ($276 MILLION for parks).
ITEM 17: Presentation by Superintendent Paul Norton on the Lake Travis ISD Bond (on the November ballot).
WATCH THE VIDEO (link is below) for details on $143 MILLION bond for athletic facilities, largely at the new high school.
ITEM 18: Request from Lake Travis Education Foundation for a Partnership Proposal and Exception to Banner Policy.
DENIED 4:3 (Kilgore, Forton, Szimanski).
ITEM 19: Special Use Permit request for a Home Occupation allowing a physician’s office at 313 Duffy Lane.
DENIED 5:2 (Vance, O’Brien).
ITEM 20: Special Use Permit request to operate an arcade within The Cigar Bar, at 1310 Ranch Road 620 South, Suite A-12.
APPROVED (for only 1 year, with staff to extend if no complaints) 5:2 (Kilgore, Brynteson).
ITEM 21: Second Reading on ordinance changes to the city’s Integrated Water Management System (as to xeriscaping, artificial turf, tree protection, impervious cover, etc.).
APPROVED 6:1 (Brynteson).
ITEM 25: Discussion of Additional Police Patrols/Law Enforcement Services for Property Owner Associations.
WITHDRAWN by City Manager.
ITEM 27: Executive Session re: certain city employees: City Manager, Municipal Judges, Municipal Prosecutor, and City Attorney.
NO ACTION TAKEN.
ADJOURNED at 11:40PM.
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: https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/276750
Daring Mighty Things
Sure, there is a ridiculous amount of space debris stuck in Earth’s orbit, posing hazards to active spacecraft as well as to the International Space Station. Creative solutions are needed. But, do we REALLY want to put lasers in space, controlled by AI? Just imagine how many ways THAT could go wrong…. (Image credit: WVU Illustration/Savanna Leech.) AI-powered lasers could zap space debris away from collision courses 10/18/23 https://www.space.com/ai-powered-lasers-could-help-with-space-debris
A satellite caught the October 14 annular eclipse from a unique perspective, in the above image. (Image credit: NASA/DSCOVR EPIC team.) Satellite sees annular solar eclipse from 1 million miles away 10/16/23 https://www.space.com/annular-solar-eclipse-2023-million-miles-away
Yum??? Watermeal (shown above on human fingers) is the tiniest flowering plant on Earth, each clump the size of a pin head. Edible with a high protein content, watermeal produces oxygen through photosynthesis, so NASA hopes it will provide both food and oxygen to astronauts on Mars. Experiments are underway to see how it handles extremely high and low gravity. The plant is rootless and also lacks stems and leaves; it floats on ponds and lakes in Asia, where it is a food staple. (Image credit: Christian Fischer, CC BY-SA 3.0.) Future Mars astronauts may chomp on Earth’s tiniest flowering plant to survive 10/16/23 https://www.space.com/future-mars-astronaut-earth-tiniest-plant-survive
With liberty and justice for all … except women
Texas remains the largest state to essentially ban abortion, both surgical and medication-induced. This article details the impact of recent rules and the status of court cases. How new regulations impact abortion and birth control access in Texas 10/11/23 https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/11/texas-abortion-law-birth-control-what-you-need-to-know/
Back to me….
I am SO looking forward to my 65th birthday! I signed up for all the parts of Medicare coverage—A, B, D & a supplement/Medigap policy, for a very reasonable total cost. It was all simple and clear, thanks to a local insurance agent specializing in Medicare, Lee Green. He regularly gives Medicare talks at the library, and I attended one last summer. As suggested, I called him 3 months before my birthday, and he guided me through the choices and the sign-ups, making things simple and quick. I heartily recommend that anyone with questions or needing assistance contact him (info above).
October is when the US Supreme Court starts its new term—kind of weird, but weird is their thing. Last term was tumultuous, with the hard right conservative majority on the Court gleefully breaking precedent to over-turn Roe v. Wade, upend gun safety rules, savage voting rights, and much more. This term, we’ll see if that wrecking ball strategy continues, as they review these and more issues that impact our everyday lives.
For an excellent 25-minute podcast, listen to long-time SCOTUS reporter Adam Liptak’s summary of this term’s big cases here: The New Supreme Court Cases to Watch 10/10/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/podcasts/the-daily/supreme-court-conservative.html
Even better, anyone can listen to oral arguments, live or later, at the Supreme Court. Most weeks in the fall, they hear 1 or 2 cases on a few mornings. These oral arguments rapidly devolve into question and answer sessions, with a lot of clues as to how the various Justices are leaning. A lawyer is lucky to get 1 or 2 minutes into an opening statement before the Justices interrupt with questions (and these days it is always Justice Clarence Thomas who barges in first). So far in October, they have heard 6 cases, and nothing new is scheduled until Oct. 30. Listen to the October cases anytime here: https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_audio/2023
Rut season has the herd in an uproar. Their usual habits and patterns are completely disrupted, and they are not hanging out at the usual places. The bucks are stalking, and the does are shying away. But, on my walks I came across a few deer willing to pose for pictures, starting with a few adorable young bucks, continuing with a courting couple, and ending with several youngsters.
The Coronavirus
As of Sept. 30 (tracking data is less and less current), the New York Times correlated the CDC’s statistics for the US, showing the summer numbers continuing to drop. Excellent news! Across the country, a daily average of 4,328 people were being hospitalized for Covid-19, which was a 5% DROP over 2 weeks. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/us/covid-cases.html
STILL, if you haven’t done so, GET THE NEW COVID-19 vaccine, formulated to fight the recent variants, to protect yourself and others during the upcoming holiday season.
Recent Covid-19 Articles
—Pfizer Prices Covid Drug Paxlovid at $1,400 for a Five-Day Course 10/18/23 https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/pfizer-covid-drug-paxlovid-pricing-80f83785
—Scientists Offer a New Explanation for Long Covid 10/16/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/16/health/long-covid-serotonin.html
—For Texans with long COVID, specialized centers can provide more effective treatments — if they can access them 10/12/23 https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/12/texas-long-covid/
—Say goodbye to the COVID-19 vaccination card. The CDC has stopped printing them 10/4/23 https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/goodbye-covid-19-vaccination-card-cdc-stopped-printing-103731263