LAKEWAY—GO VOTE!
This is a brand-new section of the blog, covering Lakeway-centric info on the upcoming election.
EARLY VOTING for the November Election.
Avoid the crowds and vote Monday, Oct. 24-Friday, Nov. 4. Hours are 7AM-7PM, except noon-6PM on Sunday. Lakeway’s closest locations are the Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) and the Lake Travis ISD Educational Development Center (607 RR 620 N., with easy access at the Kollmeyer stoplight).
Lakeway Transportation Bond–$17,500,000.
If you have NEVER complained about Lakeway traffic, then you can vote no. For the other 99.9% of Lakeway residents–VOTE YES on Lakeway Prop A.
The city made a pretty cool explainer video that in under 4 minutes highlights how the bond money will be used. Go here to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc_uOhlHjRI
Lakeway residents can vote up or down Proposition A, the city’s $17,500,000 (maximum amount) transportation bond, on the Nov. 8 ballot. Funds will be used “for the purpose of designing, acquiring, constructing, renovating, improving, upgrading, updating, and equipping streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, pathways, bike and pedestrian system improvements, demolition, repair, and rebuilding of existing streets and other transportation facilities.” Details are in the chart above.
HANDS OFF the signs!
In this country, everyone has the right to support chosen political candidates, including displaying political signs. But, every election, certain people feel the need to vandalize and even steal election signs from roadsides and from yards. This time, Beto signs are being damaged and stolen in record numbers. Also, in local yards, Beto signs are being removed and REPLACED with Abbott signs. That is trespassing, as well as theft.
Even if I knew nothing about Abbott’s heinous policies running Texas into the ground and making us the butt of jokes nationwide for the last 8 years, the rude and lawless actions of his supporters would make me vote blue.
Lakeway politics sink to disgusting new low.
This letter is being mailed via US Postal Service to Old Lakeway residents displaying Beto yard signs. Signed “Your Lakeway neighbors,” it is anonymous–as usual with cowardly bullies.
The Lakeway Police Department takes the threats in this letter seriously and is investigating, so anyone getting the letter should take it to the police station. You can also report it to the FBI. USPS has this site for reporting this kind of nastiness: https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/threatening-letters-and-cyberbullying?fbclid=IwAR2XXxmL8stM5wohuFOs-y9Juaw0rH3hrr9nChxVfc1x4IIolw-WWfHPzIQ
If you are up to it, local media (Community Impact, Texas Tribune, Statesman, KXAN Investigates, etc.) would also likely cover this, as the threats are unusually ugly, even in these divisive times.
Info on the candidates and the LTISD bonds is in the Texas Election section below.
What is going on in Lakeway?
Band of the Hills Concert
This Arts in the Afternoon FREE concert will be held Sunday, October 23, 4PM, at the Hurst Creek Sculpture Garden, next to the Lakeway Justice Center (104 Cross Creek). Band of the Hills has entertained crowds around Central Texas for over 20 years, performing a variety of music from classical to seasonal favorites. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and snacks.
Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off
On Wednesday, Oct. 26, 9:30AM to 12:30PM, there will be a FREE DROP OFF of household hazardous waste at Lake Travis Regional Reuse & Recycling Center (3207 Neidhardt Dr.). This is ONLY for residents of Lakeway, Bee Cave and The Hills/customers of WCID 17, Hurst Creek MUD, and Lakeway MUD. Bring a picture ID or water bill for proof of residency. Reservations are REQUIRED, and only specified items will be accepted (for instance—batteries and paint: YES; light bulbs and tires: NO). Call Lakeway Solid Waste at (512)314-7514 or email solidwasteclerk@lakeway-tx.gov for info. You can also go here to see the list of accepted items and make a reservation: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c44aca728a1f4c07-household4
Prescription Take-Back
Lakeway participates in the National Take-Back Initiative, allowing the public to surrender for destruction any expired/unwanted/unused controlled pharmaceuticals and over the counter medications. Drop off items on Saturday, Oct. 29, 10AM-2PM, at the Lakeway Police Department parking lot (1941 Lohmans Crossing Road). This is FREE, anonymous, and open to the public, with no reservation needed. For more info including what can be dropped off and what is NOT accepted, call Lakeway PD at 512-261-2800 or go here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1682
Just FYI, you can drop off expired/unwanted/unused controlled pharmaceuticals and over the counter medications AT ANY TIME at Lakeway Police Department. Just go inside and use the bin in the lobby.
Nosferatu—A Symphony of Horror
On Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7PM, celebrate Halloween and support the LTHS Music Department by attending this special showing of the classic 1922 black and white silent film, enhanced by a LIVE ORCHESTRA. Our own Lake Travis High School Chamber Orchestra will perform. Dress up, as prizes will be given for Best Vampire and more. Call 512-261-1010 or go here for more info and to buy $5 tickets: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/calendar.aspx?eid=4340
Christmas is coming….
On Nov. 8, 10AM-6PM, Ladies of Charity Lake Travis Thrift Store (440 Medical Parkway) kicks off the holiday season with a winter wonderland of Christmas décor items for sale.
Veterans Day Ceremony
City of Lakeway will honor those serving in the military at a ceremony on Nov. 11, at 11AM, at the Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek). Go here for more info: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1426/Veterans-Day-Ceremony
The Nutcracker and more classical ballet
On Sunday, Nov. 13, 4-5PM, at the Lakeway Activity Center, Metamorphosis Dance presents professional and aspiring dancers performing excerpts from The Nutracker and other classical ballet pieces. For more info on this FREE performance, go here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1685
Lights Out, Texas!
Audubon Texas urges Texans to turn off exterior lights where possible during the fall bird migration, 11PM-6AM, Aug. 15-Nov. 30.
As they say: “Each year during fall and spring migrations, nearly two billion birds travel through Texas in one of the planet’s greatest wildlife spectacles. This fall, one in every three birds migrating through the U.S. will pass through Texas from August 15 through November 30.” Go here for more: https://tx.audubon.org/urbanconservation/lights-out-texas
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
Lakeway is Hiring!
Open positions include Activity Center crew leader, aquatic specialist, environmental coordinator, multimedia specialist, plans examiner, building inspector, code compliance manager, and police officer. Go here for more info and to apply: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/124/Current-Job-Openings
Mayor Tom’s Facebook Live Talk
Go here to listen to the mayor’s 10-minute address on Oct. 12, covering current Lakeway matters: https://www.facebook.com/events/682961846175747
Council Met on Oct. 17.
RESULTS:
ITEM 2: Moment of Silence–Honoring former Lakeway mayor and long-time volunteer, STEVE SWAN, who died on September 23.
ITEM 8: Appointment of Finance Director–AARON DAIGLE, CPA.
ITEM 14: Financial Report–REVENUE was over projections by $285K and EXPENSES were below projections by $1.4M, resulting in a positive variance of roughly $1.7M.
ITEM 15: Presentation from LTISD on the 3 bond propositions on the Nov. 8 ballot–SUPT. NORTON provided a succinct review of the THREE bond proposals (for building 3 schools, technology, and sports improvements) TOTALING $703M.
ITEM 16: Update on the Hamilton Greenbelt fuel mitigation project–The 3-year project to create shaded fuel breaks and remove downed and dead material was budgeted at $350K but recently was completed by Lake Travis Fire Rescue for $70K under that. The next area is North Lakeway, and then the rest of the city’s parks will be handled, to some extent paid for with grant money.
ITEM 17: Revising the ordinance on use of golf carts on city streets—APPROVED 6/1 with revisions including:
–Liability insurance required;
–Daytime only;
–Passengers must all be seated, with no lap riding; and
–Banned on certain streets (top of Lakeway Drive, Lohman’s Spur, Serene Hills Drive, Flintrock Road, Bee Creek Road, Lohman’s Crossing from Wingreen Loop to 620 (as well as Hwy. 71 and Hwy. 620).
Plus, state law requires drivers to be licensed, prohibits carts on roads with speed limit over 35MPH, and requires carts to have safety equipment and a Texas license plate.
NOTE: Registration by City of Lakeway will NOT be required. EFFECTIVE DATE is Jan. 1, 2023. Look for considerable education of the public in the interim.
ITEM 19: Final Plat approval for Eastside Landings, building 30 R-1 single family homes on 15 acres located at 17301 Flintrock Road—UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
ITEM 20: First reading of a request by a neighboring homeowner for the city to vacate a small section of undeveloped right of way property on Sparrow Lane in Cardinal Hills–NO ACTION TAKEN as this was just the first reading, but there was considerable discussion on the merits and staff was asked to research various options before a decision is reached at the November meeting.
ITEM 21: Amendment of Code of Ethics as to gifts received by city employees—POSTPONED until the Nov. 2 meeting, at staff’s request.
ITEM 22: Citizens Participation–ONE COMMENT.
ITEM 23: Executive Session on filling the City Manager position–NO ACTION TAKEN.
ITEM 24: Executive Session on a potential economic development project–NO ACTION TAKEN.
ADJOURNED: 10:10PM.
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 meetings online, go here: https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/186702
Next Council Meeting will be on Nov. 7.
The Agenda will be available around Nov. 2, here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx
Daring Mighty Things
WEBB’s gorgeous space images get a lot of attention now, but the veteran orbital telescope Hubble is still capturing awesome shots. That includes the above image of Terzan 4, a globular cluster near the center of the Milky Way.
DART worked! NASA’s experimental crash last month of a space ship into a small asteroid 7 million miles from Earth succeeded in significantly changing that asteroid’s orbit around a larger asteroid. That means this strategy could deflect the course of an asteroid heading toward Earth. NASA says its asteroid defense test was a success 10/11/22 https://www.npr.org/2022/10/11/1128132956/nasa-dart-success-asteroid-dimorphos
A total lunar eclipse is coming up on Nov. 8. Total lunar eclipse: How to prepare for next month’s eclipse of the moon https://www.space.com/total-lunar-eclipse-dress-rehearsal?utm_campaign=58E4DE65-C57F-4CD3-9A5A-609994E2C5A9
Texas November Election
Early voting is Oct. 24-Nov. 4. Election Day is Nov. 8.
VOTE ALL THE WAY DOWN THE BALLOT, preferably for Democratic candidates. For instance, the Republican candidate running for Travis County Clerk is a MAGA devotee who campaigned on getting rid of election machines and returning to paper ballots, so vote for Democrat Dyana Limon-Mercado.
ELECTION INFO
In the governor’s race, Beto and Abbott held a debate on Sept. 30. Go here to watch the fast-paced and quite entertaining 55-minute debate (there is also a handy synopsis): https://www.reformaustin.org/elections/missed-beto-abbotts-debate-watch-it-here/
This in-depth account covers ALL the Texas races. Just add your address, and it fills in the local races on your ballot. Here’s your ballot for the Nov. 8 Texas midterm elections 8/23/22 https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2022/texas-ballot-2022-midterm-election-nov-8/
Here’s what you need to cast your ballot in Central Texas. 10/18/22 https://www.statesman.com/story/news/state/2022/10/18/early-voting-texas-election-2022/69568897007/
Candidates aside, Lake Travis ISD is asking voters to approve $703 million in bonds, to fund and expand our schools. There are 3 separate bond issues to vote yes or no on–for new facilities, district technology and athletic facilities. Go here for details: https://communityimpact.com/austin/lake-travis-westlake/education/2022/08/18/lake-travis-isd-to-hold-703-million-bond-election-in-november/ You can also listen to LTISD Supt. Norton’s recent and succinct review of the bond proposals to Lakeway Council, by going here and fast-forwarding to minute 22: https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/186702
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
Some states, including Massachusetts and California, are requiring colleges and universities to offer abortion pills, as medical abortion takes up the slack for surgical abortions now banned in half the country. Barnard College to offer abortion pills on campus next year 10/7/22 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/barnard-college-abortion-pills-on-campus/
Abortion clinics are hitting the road—and the water, including the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico—to meet the needs of patients from red states, with doctors using RVs and ships as mobile clinics. Mobile abortions take off ‘on wheels, at sea’ to fill gaps left by shuttered clinics 10/19/22 https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/oct/19/mobile-abortion-shuttered-clinics-on-sea-on-wheels-roe-v-wade
The Dept. of Defense is establishing travel and transportation allowances for service members and their dependents living in no-abortion states, to ease access. In addition, the federal government will support DoD health care providers subjected to state penalties or loss of license for performing abortions. Pentagon will pay for service members to travel for abortions 10/20/22 https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/20/pentagon-will-pay-for-service-members-to-travel-for-abortions-00062782
Some politicians are blaming doctors for the deadly results of anti-abortion legislation, playing ridiculous games with semantics. What Does ‘Abortion’ Mean? Even the Word Itself Is Up for Debate 10/18/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/18/us/abortion-roe-debate.html
Back to me….
Rut season is ongoing, so bucks are active, competitive, and should be viewed from afar. Does are skittish. PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY.
Here are recent photos I took of our herd.
The Coronavirus
Worldwide, 12.86 billion shots have been given, with 68.4% of the planet’s population getting at least 1 shot.
Japan has reopened its borders to overseas visitors, ending over 2 years of isolation. Mid-October, Japan removed a 50,000 daily cap on arrivals, reinstated waivers for short-term visas, and stopped requiring tourists to visit as part of group tours.
China’s war against Covid has intensified, related to a crucial Communist Party meeting where President Xi Jinping expanded his authority. After widespread travel during a week-long national holiday in early October, daily Covid counts more than doubled, causing fears of spread to Beijing, where the meeting was held. To be sure it would not be disrupted, local officials (who use China’s pandemic strategy to show party loyalty) increased the usual restrictions, with lockdowns and mandated mass testing and quarantines disrupting life for millions of people. In the popular travel destination in Yunnan, for instance, the government canceled flights, trapping crowds of angry tourists at an airport. However, vaccination in China has all but ended, and there is no campaign for booster shots. Despite the government’s harsh approach to Covid restrictions, it doesn’t require vaccination, and the public there is highly skeptical of shots. Official numbers are not available, but experts say the percentage of Chinese citizens who are vaccinated is very low.
Epidemiologists are reviewing Covid protocols and results nation by nation, to help establish best practices for future use. Japan has the best result regarding deaths, with only 45,500 dead so far in the pandemic. The US has a death rate NINE TIMES that of Japan. Only 1 in 2,758 people died in Japan, compared with 1 in 315 Americans dying of Covid. This is despite the fact that 25% of Japan’s population is over age 65; in the US, that vulnerable age group is only 15% of the population. In addition, Japan’s population is densely congregated, which encourages contagion. However, Japan is more health conscious, with low rates of obesity and diabetes—2 risk factors for severe/fatal Covid. Also, Japan was able to get 83% of its population fully vaccinated quickly, while in the US vaccination faltered due to political issues, and our vax rate never reached even 70% of the population. But, the primary reason for Japan’s success seems to be nearly universal acceptance of mask wearing.
Europe is entering a winter surge, with new daily cases steadily increasing in the UK, Germany and elsewhere.
A recent Scottish study looked at 33,000 adults and found that half of all Covid patients still suffer symptoms 6 months after diagnosis. Long-term problems include tiredness, headache, muscles aches, joint pain, and difficulty breathing.
Several new variants are being closely watched worldwide. BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 now account for 11% of US cases, up from 3% two weeks ago. Other Omicron variants are growing steadily, including BA.4.6, BF.7, plus XBB which is surging in Singapore. Studies show all the new variants are susceptible to the new Covid vaccine.
In the US, in the last 2 weeks, the new case rate was down 5%, hospitalizations dropped 1%, and deaths decreased 5%. We are averaging 38,000 new cases per day. Roughly 27,000 Americans are currently hospitalized with Covid, and an average of 361 people die each day. The national testing positivity rate is 8.7%.
All summer, the US had relatively good Covid numbers, with cases and hospitalizations falling sharply. Recently, that sharp drop has bent to become nearly flat. This will likely become an upward curve soon, as winter and the usual Covid wave hit us.
Many cities now routinely testing wastewater for Covid. Authorities in Boston and New York City are concerned over a sudden surge in Covid virus levels starting the second week of October.
According to the World Health Organization, 10% to 20% of Covid survivors have lasting symptoms including breathlessness, fatigue and cognitive dysfunction, long after the acute infection is resolved. In the US, 7.5 million and 23 million people developed long Covid. Estimating 1 million Americans out of the workforce at any given time, the fiscal result is over $50 billion in lost income.
As for vaccinations in the US, 68% of the entire population is fully vaccinated (no change in 8 weeks). Over 111 million booster shots have been given, including nearly 20 million shots of the new bivalent booster. Average shots administered per day rose to 722,000.
The FDA and CDC on Oct. 12 authorized booster shots for youngsters. Pfizer’s booster shot is available to children 5 and up, while Moderna’s shot is available to children 6 and older, both at least 2 months after completing the initial 2-shot vaccination. An approved booster for kids under 5 is expected later in the year.
In addition, the CDCadded Covid-19 vaccines to the childhood, adolescent and adult immunization schedules.
India, Iran and Russia have approved their own vaccines inhaled through the nose. China has a vaccine that is swallowed. But, the US has neither easy-to-administer option in the pipeline, largely due to lack of funding from Congress. A small clinical trial using just 30 human subjects tested a nasal-spray version of the Covid-19 vaccine jointly developed by the University of Oxford researchers and AstraZeneca, finding it failed to offer the desired protection. Only a minority of subjects reported an antibody response in the respiratory mucous membranes, and the immune response that was measured in the blood was found to be weaker, compared to a shot-in-the-arm vaccination.
Dr. Anthony Fauci got his bivalent booster on Oct. 6, live on The Late Show. He and host Stephen Colbert also shopped for Halloween candy and tried on sunglasses at the local pharmacy…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6hzXaShwlk
Relatively few people have gotten the new bivalent booster so far, despite it being widely available and free. About half are seniors. Looking forward to the holidays? GET THE NEW BOOSTER, to protect yourself and your family as you travel and gather to celebrate this winter.
In Texas, the positivity test rate is 6.9%. In the last 2 weeks, new cases decreased 18%, hospitalizations dropped 15%, and deaths fell 19%. We are averaging 1,600 new daily cases, and an average of 12 Texans die each day. As of now, there are 1,500 Texans hospitalized for Covid-19.
Only 62% of all Texas residents are fully vaccinated.
Recent Covid Articles I Recommend
CDC advisers recommend adding Covid shots to routine immunization schedules for kids, adults 10/20/22 https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/20/cdc-advisers-recommend-adding-covid-shots-to-routine-schedules-for-kids-adults-00062739
Dr. Anthony Fauci: long Covid is an ‘insidious’ public health emergency 10/17/22 https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/oct/17/fauci-interview-long-covid-risk-emergency-response-coronavirus
Another Covid Wave Could Be Coming. Here’s How to Make Your Holiday Plans 10/17/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/15/well/covid-holiday-plans.html
As White House Presses for Booster Shots, Americans Are Slow to Get Them 10/15/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/15/us/politics/covid-booster-shots.html
Without a nasal vaccine, the U.S. edge in fighting Covid is on the line 10/15/22 https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/15/without-a-nasal-vaccine-the-u-s-edge-in-fighting-covid-is-on-the-line-00061930
New Omicron Subvariants Spread Amid Concerns of Next Coronavirus Wave 10/14/22 https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-10-14/new-omicron-subvariants-bq-1-bq-1-1-spread-amid-concerns-of-next-coronavirus-wave
Nearly Half of Covid Patients Haven’t Fully Recovered Months Later, Study Finds 10/12/22 https://abcnews.go.com/Health/half-covid-survivors-fully-recovered-months-study/story?id=91444148
F.D.A. Authorizes Updated Covid Booster Shots for Children 5 to 11 10/12/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/12/us/politics/covid-booster-shots-kids.html
Europe likely entering another COVID wave, says WHO and ECDC 19 10/12/22 https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/europe-likely-entering-another-covid-wave-says-who-ecdc-2022-10-12/
AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 nasal-spray version fails in trial 10/11/22 https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/news/astrazenecas-covid-19-nasal-spray/
The marked contrast in pandemic outcomes between Japan and the United States 10/8/22 https://erictopol.substack.com/p/the-marked-contrast-in-pandemic-outcomes