Nina–write or wrong in Lakeway

What is going on in Lakeway? 

Guess Who has a BIG Birthday this Year….

Founded in 1963, the City of Lakeway turns 60 in 2023!  The celebration started with the heritage bus tours earlier this month.  The 4^th of July parade theme will be “’63 and Free.”  More fun events are in the works. 

To brush up on Lakeway’s history, visit The Heritage Center (963 Lohmans Crossing).  The Center is open to the public January through November on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9AM-3:30PM, excluding holidays.

Get a start online by going here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1879/Lakeway-Historical-Documents

OAK TRIMMING Season

NEVER PRUNE FEBRUARY THROUGH JUNE.

If you plan to trim oaks, JANUARY IS THE LAST MONTH TO DO IT (until summer). Oak pruning is a violation of Lakeway ordinance February through June, due to higher likelihood then of spreading Oak Wilt. The fine is up to $1,000 per day. 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

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

StoryWalk

Now through Feb. 14, enjoy a Valentine’s Day story while strolling the trail behind City Hall (1102 Lohmans Crossing).

You’ll find pages from the children’s book “If You Were My Valentine” (written by Lynn Plourde and illustrated by Jennifer L. Meyer).  

This FREE event emphasizes the importance of reading, spending time with friends, and connecting with nature.

Community Helper Story Time

On Monday, Jan. 30 at 10:30AM, Lakeway Police Officer Christie Carter will present a special story time at the Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing).  Officer Carter will discuss being a police officer and keeping the community safe, as well as reading a story to families attending.

Sock Hop

On Monday, Feb. 6, 7-9PM, the Lakeway Arts Committee presents a FREE and FUN 1940-50s dance event at the Activity Center (105 Cross Creek).  Nostalgic music will be provided by The Highlights, plus musicians from People’s Choice and vocalists Barbara Calderaro, David Cummings and Howard T. Levine.  Wear your favorite Memory Lane apparel and bring snacks and beverages.

Masterpiece Concert

On Sunday, Feb. 12, 4-5PM, the Lakeway Arts Committee presents the next Masterpiece Concert at the Activity Center (105 Cross Creek).  

FREE for residents, the concert will feature music performed by Andrew and Sari Pearce, along with other talented musicians on violin, viola and cello.

Garage Sale at Lakeway Activity Center

The next community garage sale is Saturday, March 25, from 8AM to noon.  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-$30 per booth; Non-Members-$35 per booth.   Call 512-261-1010  or go here for info and to reserve a booth (starting Feb. 20 for members, Feb. 27 for non-members):  https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog/index?filter=c2VhcmNoPWdhcmFnZSZyZW50YWwlNUJmcm9tJTVEPSZyZW50YWwlNUJ0byU1RD0=

A Night with the Austin Symphony Orchestra

On Saturday, April 1, 2023, members of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and students at Lake Travis High School will present the 3^rd annual performance at the Lake Travis Performing Arts Center. Go here for details and tickets:  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1960/A-Night-with-the-Austin-Symphony-Orchest

Lakeway is HIRING

Open positions include Court Clerk Supervisor, Juvenile Case Manager, Permit Technician, Code Compliance Inspector/Officer, Code Compliance Manager, Facility Attendant, and Police Officer. (As of Feb. 1, the city will start hiring LIFEGUARDS.)  Go here for info and to apply: https://tx-lakeway.civicplushrms.com/CareerPortal/Jobs.aspx

Spring Break Camps at Lakeway Activity Center

Plan early to keep the little ones busy during spring break.  Go here for camp info and to register: https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog/index?filter=c2VhcmNoPXNwcmluZyUyMGJyZWFrJnJlbnRhbCU1QmZyb20lNUQ9JnJlbnRhbCU1QnRvJTVEPQ==

Council Met on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

RESULTS: All 7 members attended in person.  

ITEM 10: Kay Andrews received a Lifetime Achievement Award. 

ITEM 11: Tamara Arguello was appointed Chief Court Clerk. 

ITEM 12: Financial Report—At the end of the first quarter of FY 2023, revenue was $235K below projections, due to slow property tax payments.  Expenditures were $430K below projections, due to salary savings from several unfilled positions. 

ITEM 13: Citizens Participation. One person spoke, as to traffic concerns on Flint Rock Road. 

ITEM 14: Special Use Permit for a Home Occupation/DAYCARE CENTER at 702 Vanguard.  The permit was DENIED 4:3 (Kilgore, Kumar and Mastrangello voting in favor of the permit). 

ITEM 15: Special Use Permit for a short-term rental at 811 Sunfish. Permit was APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. 

ITEM 16: First Reading—LTISD Development Agreement. After a presentation by LTISD officials and considerable discussion on the dais, Council made it clear the proposal for an elementary school to be built on Bee Creek Road would not be approved at the next meeting unless traffic concerns raised tonight were addressed and resolved. 

ITEM 19: Executive Session to obtain legal advice re: Charter Election and Texas Local Government Code chapter 143.  Council debated in private, then returned to the dais, PASSING UNANIMOUSLY a motion to support state legislation in the new session to protect disclosure of personal information and unfounded complaints. 

Adjourned at 9:11pm.  

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/205803

Upcoming City Meetings 

ZAPCO (zoning and planning) meets on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 9AM.  Council meets on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 6:30PM. Go here for Agendas: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

Lakeway ELECTIONS—Coming Soon!

Local elections will be on May 6, with Early Voting starting April 24.  (If you aren’t registered to vote, the deadline is April 6.)  Campaigning will start soon….

Local elections include Lakeway’s Mayor Kilgore and 3 City Council seats—Kumar, Vance, and Trecker.  All 4 incumbents are eligible to run for another term.  The candidate filing period started Jan. 18 and ends Feb. 17.  The city’s election page, with full info, is here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/427/Election-Information

To date, only Mayor Kilgore and Councilmember Vance have filed to run in the election.

Daring Mighty Things

I aim for the full spectrum in this blog, from the ridiculous to the sublime.  So, here you go….

Competing in the Miss Universe pageant earlier this month, Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel wore the moon, as an homage to the space program that anchors her hometown of Houston.  The elaborate costume included a scale-sized moon held up over her head by an intricate frame surrounded by gleaming silver stars; her wispy outfit was made of red, white and blue lights.  She carried an American flag–well, of course she did!  The costume weighed 33 pounds. 

A gorgeous comet with a green tail is closing in on Earth.  The image above was taken over Mount Etna and the Italian island of Sicily, on Jan. 23. On clear nights in dark areas, the comet–known as C/2022 E3 (ZTF)–is visible with the naked eye, but binoculars will help. Just after sunset, look to the north for a green glow.  How to See the green comet 1/23/23 https://www.space.com/comet-c2022-e3-ztf-how-to-see-approach-earth

Remember Ingenuity—the mini helicopter flying on Mars with the rover Perseverance?  After completing its 5 planned flights to experiment with flying in Mars’ ultra-thin atmosphere, the mighty Ingenuity has amazed NASA handlers by carrying on, and on, and on.  Weighing just 4 pounds, Ingenuity recently completed its 40^th flight, sending valuable data home to Earth.  Mars helicopter Ingenuity aces 40th Red Planet flight 1/20/23 https://www.space.com/mars-helicopter-ingenuity-40th-flight

With liberty and justice for all … except women.

Jan. 22, 2023 SHOULD have been the 50^th anniversary of women’s right to regulate their health care and make their own choices about their families.  Instead, 5 people who were granted black robes for life (at least 3 of them under highly dubious circumstances) decided to substitute their personal preferences for 5 decades of established Constitutional rights.  And, the country is divided—red vs. blue, oppression or freedom.

Now, the next step in protecting women’s rights is the shield law.  The idea is that blue states where abortion is legal pass laws to protect their doctors prescribing and mailing abortion pills to women living in red states where abortion is illegal.  Massachusetts already has a shield law, and New York will likely pass one soon.  With easy access to abortion pills mailed within the US, women in red states can manage their own terminations at home, without the expense and difficulties of inter-state travel, and without waiting the several weeks it takes to receive pills mailed from Europe or India.  The New Cutting Edge of Abortion-Rights Legislation 1/20/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/20/opinion/new-york-abortion-rights-legislation.html

Back to me….  

Nothing much going on—just trying to stay warm and find things to do OTHER than my taxes….

I spotted a few more deer lately, all sweet does. Here are a few photos I took. 

The Coronavirus   

In China, experts estimate that roughly 80% of the population (1.2 billion people) caught Covid 19 since restrictions were suddenly lifted in early December.  In addition, there have been over 1 million deaths.  Also, the government is currently arresting people who dared to protest the harsh rules back in 2022.  Nevertheless, pandemic control workers who abruptly lost jobs when the government abandoned its years-long zero Covid strategy are NOW protesting, demanding wages and new jobs.

In the US, in the last 2 weeks, the official stats show new cases and hospitalizations both fell by about 25%.  Deaths dropped 8% to an average of 521 Americans per day.  See the chart below for current stats. The national testing positivity rate fell to 11%. 

Experts are now saying the US avoided the usual winter surge this year. Instead, due to largescale immunity from vaccines and previous infections, we had a Covid bump—cases and hospitalizations went up, but not as dramatically as in the past.  States in the south and northwest had a steeper bump than states in the west.  As always, older and immunocompromised people suffer the most.  Currently, hospitalizations are five times higher among Americans 70 and older.  Over 90% of American Covid deaths are people 65 and older. 

Bump or surge, January of 2023 is a harsh opening month, Covid-wise.  Despite vaccines and boosters, as well as universal awareness of the virus and how to minimize it, we just aren’t bothering with any of that.  We traveled and gathered for the holidays and returned to life without pandemic.  The experts call it “collective forgetting.”  We decided to move on; too bad Covid had other ideas. This January, hospitalizations are at the 4^th highest rate ever, with hospitals across the country overwhelmed. “Official” new case rates are high but incomplete, since most people now test at home.  But, wastewater analysis shows a severe spike in infection, the largest since that technology became widely used.  Boosters, masking in public spaces, and practicing social distancing all minimize infection.  NOW is the time to take these steps to keep yourself and others safe.

The CDC has long had a program at several airports, with international arrivals being asked to swab their nostrils for Covid screening, including testing for new variants.  Now, the CDC plans to go further, testing wastewater collected from in-flight lavatories.  Because air travel wasn’t icky enough these days, I guess….

On Jan. 23, the FDA proposed an annual Covid vaccination for Americans, to be administered each fall. This approach, long used for flu, would allow the Covid vaccine to be updated yearly to better fight current variants.

The vaccination rate in the US remains at 68% overall.  For those age 65 and up, the rate is 93%.

The FDA is considering an in-house recommendation that the bivalent booster be used as the starter Covid-19 vaccine, replacing the 2020 formula for people getting their very first shots.  This is in response to studies showing the new booster formula is significantly more robust in preventing severe disease and death. 

GET BOOSTED!  A new CDC study shows that the Covid-19 bivalent booster reduces by 50% the risk of symptomatic infection from the most common subvariant now in the US.  Also, getting the bivalent booster doubles protection from death, compared to just having the regular vaccination.  And, getting the bivalent booster makes dying from Covid 19 times LESS likely, compared to having NO vaccination at all. 

In Texas, in the last 2 weeks, infections decreased 28% and hospitalizations dropped 26%.  But, deaths rose 28%, with an average of 24 Texans dying from Covid each day.  See the chart below for current stats. The positivity test rate fell to 15%.    

As of Jan. 20, Austin Public Health reported that  the “Kraken” variant of omicron formally known as XBB.1.5  has been detected in the Austin area.  This variant is responsible for over half the new cases nationwide.  The Austin area is composed of 5 counties, which are split into 2 hospital districts.  New Covid cases rose area-wide after the holidays.  However, the latest numbers show new hospitalizations dropping in Travis, Williamson and Bastrop counties (7.4 new admissions per 100,000 people and 4.2% of hospital beds occupied by someone with COVID-19); hospitalizations are still rising in Hays and Caldwell counties (20.1 new admissions per 100,000 people and 6.1% of the hospital beds occupied by someone with COVID-19)

Recent Covid Articles I Recommend

Covid Vaccines Targeting Omicron Should Be Standard, Panel Says 1/26/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/26/health/covid-vaccines-boosters.html

New booster works against dominant Covid strain 1/25/23 https://www.politico.com/news/2023/01/25/bivalent-covid-booster-xbb-1-5-00079451

F.D.A. Outlines a Plan for Annual Covid Boosters 1/23/23 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/01/23/1150032238/fda-considers-major-shift-in-covid-vaccine-strategy

‘Kraken’ variant of COVID-19 arrives in Austin as cases rise. What you need to know. 1/22/23 https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/kraken-variant-of-covid-19-arrives-in-austin-as-cases-rise-what-you-need-to-know/ar-AA16dV6i

The global hunt for new Covid variants reaches airplane bathrooms 1/16/23 https://www.politico.com/news/2023/01/16/covid-variant-airplane-bathrooms-00077979

‘People aren’t taking this seriously’: experts say US Covid surge is big risk 1/15/23 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/15/covid-19-coronavirus-us-surge-complacency

What is going on in Lakeway? 

Art at Lake Travis Community Library

At the library during January, photography by Bill and Rosemary Galloway, a husband and wife team, will be on display in the Community Room.

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Nationally AND in City of Lakeway.

Human Trafficking includes forced labor and sex trafficking.  24.9 million adults and children are subjected to this crime worldwide, which grosses $150 billion a year. Signs someone is a victim of Human Trafficking include physical abuse (bruises, wounds in various stages of healing, and mutilations), a victim being accompanied by another person who is controlling, or a victim that refuses to make eye contact/is afraid to speak in the presence of others. If you think someone is a victim of Human Trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-2423. The Lakeway Police Department also has a dedicated Victim Assistant Coordinator on staff (call 512- 261-2800). More info here: https://www.state.gov/national-human-trafficking-prevention-month/

OAK TRIMMING Season

If you plan to trim oaks, JANUARY IS THE LAST MONTH TO DO IT (until summer). 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

History of Lakeway Bus Tours

Usually held in spring, these popular bus tours will be offered on Friday, January 20, 2023.  Choose from 9:15AM, 11:15AM, and 1:15PM.  Register ASAP for this FREE event. More info and the registration link are here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1171/Heritage-Trail

GIVE BLOOD

The next community blood drive at Lakeway Activity Center is on Saturday, ­­­Jan. 21, 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! 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/

StoryWalk

From Jan. 23 through Feb. 14, enjoy a Valentine’s Day story while strolling the trail behind City Hall. You’ll find pages from the children’s book “If You Were My Valentine” (written by Lynn Plourde and illustrated by Jennifer L. Meyer).  This FREE event emphasizes the importance of reading, spending time with friends and connecting with nature.

Community Helper Story Time

On Monday, Jan. 30 at 10:30AM, Lakeway Police Officer Christie Carter will present a special story time at the Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing Rd).  Officer Carter will discuss being a police officer and keeping the community safe, as well as reading a story to families attending.

Sock Hop

On Monday, Feb. 6, 7-9PM, the Lakeway Arts Committee presents a FREE and FUN 1940-50s dance event at the Activity Center (105 Cross Creek).  Nostalgic music will be provided by The Highlights, plus musicians from People’s Choice and vocalists Barbara Calderaro, David Cummings and Howard T. Levine.  Wear your favorite Memory Lane apparel and bring snacks and beverages.

Masterpiece Concert

On Sunday, Feb. 12, 4-5PM, the Lakeway Arts Committee presents the next Masterpiece Concert at the Activity Center (105 Cross Creek).  FREE for residents, the concert will feature music performed by Andrew and Sari Pearce, along with other talented musicians on violin, viola and cello.

Mayor Kilgore’s Facebook Update

The mayor gave a live update on Jan. 12.  Go here to watch: https://www.facebook.com/cityoflakeway/videos/566454588672195

Council Meets on Tuesday, Jan. 17, City Hall at 6:30PM.

Note that the meeting is on TUESDAY, due to the usual Monday being a federal holiday.  Happily, we are back to the usual 6:30PM start time.

Consequential Agenda items include: 

ITEM 10: Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Kay Andrews.

ITEM 11: Appointment of Tamara Arguello as Chief Court Clerk.

ITEM 12: Financial Report.

ITEM 13: Citizens Participation (up to 30 minutes, with the rest—if any–heard at end of meeting).

ITEM 14: Special Use Permit for a Home Occupation/DAYCARE CENTER at 702 Vanguard.

ITEM 15: Special Use Permit for a short-term rental at 811 Sunfish.

ITEM 16: First Reading—LTISD Development Agreement.

ITEM 19: Executive Session to obtain legal advice re: Charter Election and Texas Local Government Code chapter 143 (which, if adopted, would make Lakeway’s police officers civil servants instead of city employees).

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

Lakeway ELECTIONS—Coming Soon!

Ready or not, it is election season.  Yes–AGAIN.  Local elections will be on May 6, with Early Voting starting April 24.  (If you aren’t registered to vote, the deadline is April 6.)  Campaigning will start soon….

Local elections include Lakeway Mayor and City Council.  (Lake Travis ISD school board members will also be on the ballot.)  The city’s election page, with full info, is here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/427/Election-Information

Mayor Kilgore was elected in 2021, so he is eligible to run for a second term.  (I still have my yard sign, from last time, so I’m all set.) The same is true for Council Member Trecker (except for the yard sign bit).  Council Members Vance and Kumar were first elected in 2019 and so are eligible to run for a third (and last consecutive) term.  I expect all 4 incumbents will run for re-election this time, but we will know soon.  The filing period starts Jan. 18 and ends Feb. 17.  The City Secretary promptly posts all candidate applications at the above link, so everyone can follow along.

NOW is the time to speculate on who else will run for Mayor and Council, aside from the incumbents….  Of course, if NO ONE challenges the incumbents, no election is needed and the taxpayers save about $40,000.  (It happened in 2020, but that was due to Covid.)  In order to protect the innocent, I’ll just use initials for my speculations. 

For Mayor, there will likely just be 1 challenger, put forward by the rabid right (having spent the last 2 years waging toxic and even violent feuds over the airpark, workforce housing and multiple police matters).  Historically, it could well be a complete unknown, with zero city government involvement to date; let’s hope they don’t repeat that dumb move.  From folks who have at least darkened the doors of City Hall, I see the strongest possibility as either JS (confirming it was the plan all along) or GW (wresting control of City Hall away from Old Lakeway).  TR might agree to be used for all the wrong reasons, and THAT race would be bloody.  Or, we could be in for a blast from Lakeway’s scandal-ridden political past, with RM filing, or even JB (may the good Lord protect us). 

For Council, several people could vie for the 3 seats, which are at large, so the top 3 vote-getters win.  MS pops up everywhere lately so is likely to run, while CL hovers over Lakeway like a sour stench.  Other possibilities include AE, DV and CF. Again, the rabid right likes to shove forward neophytes who have never bothered to volunteer or serve on committees–so tiresome–so who knows who they will come up with this time….

Speaking of elections, the Texas legislature is now in session (so brace yourself).  Not surprisingly, there are a lot of quirks, when it comes to how bills become laws, or fail to do so, in Texas.  This article explains it all.  Texas Legislature 101: Understanding the state government and how it passes laws  1/10/23 https://www.texastribune.org/2023/01/10/texas-legislature-2023-bills-laws-governor-speaker-lieutenant-governor/

Daring Mighty Things

As noted last time, the International Space Station has a problem. The Soyuz spacecraft that delivered 2 Russian cosmonauts and 1 NASA astronaut in December for a 4-month mission on ISS is unsafe for the March trip home due to a severe coolant leak.  Russia has decided to send up an uncrewed Soyuz on Feb. 20, so it can transport the 3 crew members back to Earth on schedule.  In the meantime, any emergency requiring evacuation of the 7 people on duty on the ISS would be problematic, as the only intact craft at the station is a SpaceX Dragon with just 4 seats.  Russia to launch new Soyuz capsule to replace leaky spacecraft on space station 1/11/23 https://www.space.com/russia-replacement-soyuz-launching-february-2023

NASA will, in the next 2 years, begin construction of Gateway Station, orbiting the moon.  The facility will support the planned series of moon missions, including those with long-term stays by astronauts on the moon’s surface.  Unlike the fairly roomy International Space Station, Gateway is subject to strict weight limits, constricting its size. Plans currently call for a few segments, each just 6X6 feet, much of which space will be taken by equipment, leaving the 4-person crew very little space and zero privacy. NASA’s moon-orbiting space station will be claustrophobic, architect says  1/7/23 https://www.space.com/lunar-gateway-station-claustrophobic-architect-says

With liberty and justice for all … except women.

Two segments of the Biden administration’s plan to shore up women’s rights recently dropped into place. 

First, a federal legal opinion was issued, protecting individuals and entities mailing abortion pills into red states that prohibit abortion.  Justice Department clears Postal Service to carry abortion drugs into red states 1/3/23 https://www.politico.com/news/2023/01/03/justice-department-postal-abortion-drugs-00076274

Second, the FDA announced that abortion pills can be sold at LOCAL PHARMACIES and not just at health clinics.  This makes getting these pills easier, quicker, and cheaper.  FDA allows abortion pills to be sold at retail pharmacies, say two drugmakers 1/3/23 https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-fda-says-abortion-pills-can-be-sold-retail-pharmacies-new-york-times-reports-2023-01-03/

Already, CVS and Walgreens say they will offer abortion pills in states that do not ban them. Other pharmacy chains should follow.  CVS and Walgreens Plan to Offer Abortion Pills Where Abortion Is Legal 1/6/23 https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-01-06/cvs-walgreens-say-they-will-offer-abortion-pills-in-some-states

But, ugly protests are coming soon to local drug stores.  Next frontier in the abortion wars: Your local CVS 1/11/23  https://www.politico.com/news/2023/01/11/pharmacies-anti-abortion-pills-00077349

Worse, really, is how Alabama’s Republican Attorney General plans to prosecute women getting abortions.  Like most red states, Alabama’s law banning abortion only allows prosecution of PROVIDERS—not patients. But, the Alabama AG decided to get creative and will use a law intended to protect kids from exposure to meth labs, barring “chemical endangerment of a child.”  Applying that to women getting abortions will jail them as felons. The anti-abortion movement just had a mask-off moment in Alabama 1/13/23 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/13/alabama-attorney-general-anti-abortion-movement

So, two steps forward… and at least two steps back, I guess.

Back to me….  

2023….  I’m still not convinced it can be trusted.

I managed to squeeze January’s daily yoga challenge into my schedule.  And, I’m also trying to walk more, even on cold mornings.  Pretty much, I have finally adjusted to working night shift; I love having my days free and am getting good at sleeping during the day.  Best of all, my sweet kitties are being very supportive; of course, everything I know about power naps I learned from my cats.

Still not seeing many deer (which is usual this time of year).  With rut season done, Lakeway has switched over to roadside banners featuring our sweet does. 

PLEASE WATCH FOR DEER AS YOU DRIVE, ESPECIALLY AROUND DUSK AND DAWN AND PARTICULARLY IN OLD LAKEWAY.

Here are a few recent deer photos.

The Coronavirus   

China’s tragic Covid odyssey continues.  December’s sudden reversal of government policy—from rigid testing and long-term isolation to zero controls—has resulted in widespread infections and resulting stress on the usual service providers. Hospitals are not only seriously over-crowded–they lack ventilators and even basic supplies like ibuprofen to bring down fevers in patients with Covid or other diseases.  Funeral operators are so overburdened that services are restricted to 10 minutes instead of allowing mourners the usual several hours of leave-taking.  Other countries experienced these things years ago when Covid first blazed through with little to no restrictions or vaccinations to impede it, but China failed to learn lessons from the rest of the world.  As always, the elderly are the most vulnerable to Covid, and in China that generation has the lowest vaccination rate, in part due to skepticism about China’s home-grown vaccines.  As the virus spreads through China’s cities and out into rural areas that have little to no medical resources, some see the older generation as being sacrificed by a government that over-protected against Covid for years and abruptly pivoted in order to reopen a rebelling society and restart a badly faltering economy.  Experts are concerned that Covid running through China’s immense unprotected population will result in a rise of new variants, which could be more deadly and/or more resistant to existing vaccines than the current variants.  Private enterprise is getting creative; a bank is rewarding wealthy new customers depositing the equivalent of $500,000 with free Covid vaccination shots—using proven safe and effective mRNA vaccines from the West.  In the meantime, the Chinese government is, according to the W.H.O., falsifying records to minimize current cases, hospitalizations and deaths. A reported death toll of 60,000 so far in 2023 is likely incomplete.

In the US, in the last 2 weeks, the official stats show new cases and hospitalizations rose slightly.  However, deaths soared 79% to an average of 566 Americans per day.  See the chart below for current stats. The national testing positivity rate was roughly stable at 14%.

In December, Covid infections in the US doubled over the previous month.  Also, over 10,000 Americans died, which is higher than any month since last summer.  The CDC blames the latest Omicron strain, XBB1.5.  Enabled by holiday travel and gatherings, this variant is more easily transmitted than others, though it does not seem to cause more serious disease.  The elderly are most at risk, but only 38% of those 65 and older have gotten the new booster shot formulated to better protect against the current variants.

Variant XBB.1.5, nicknamed Kraken, is one of the latest descendants of Omicron and a fusion of two different BA.2 variants.  It is the most transmissible variant yet, spreading faster worldwide than any other variant to date. It arose in or around New York state in late October and is now particularly prevalent in the Northeast (responsible for 75% of cases there), as well as causing 35-40% of all Covid infections in the US.  As of the end of December, the number of cases in the US doubled weekly.  BB.1.5 is spreading more than twice as fast as its closest competitor, the BQ.1.1 variant. Experts caution Kraken isn’t the last variant, stressing that the only way we can understand Covid-19’s evolution and prepare for even worse variants is to step up sequencing.  However, funding cut-backs in the US and worldwide have slashed budgets, with sequencing being cut and testing centers closing.

A recent study in Israel of 700,000 people age 65 or older showed that the new bivalent booster reduced hospitalizations by 81% and reduced deaths by 86%.  These results were mirrored in a new CDC report on Covid hospitalizations in the US, along with significant protection for younger people.  GET BOOSTED!

We now lack specialized Covid-19 treatments that can be used for the most vulnerable population.  The monoclonal antibodies that were so successful treating the early variants are useless against the current forms of Covid-19. That leaves antiviral drugs like Paxlovid; they DO work against the current variants.  BUT, they are not safe for immune-compromised people because they interact with drugs they likely take.  With Covid-related government funding largely dried up at this point, there is little impetus for pharmaceutical companies to develop new drugs.

In Texas, in the last 2 weeks, infections rose 10%, hospitalizations increased 26%, and deaths jumped 59%.  See the chart below for current stats. The positivity test rate rose to 21%.

Recent Covid Articles I Recommend

Health Experts Warily Eye XBB.1.5, the Latest Omicron Subvariant 1/7/23 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/07/science/covid-omicron-variants-xbb.html

Covid cases, hospitalizations spike as new variant gains foothold 1/6/23 https://www.politico.com/news/2023/01/06/covid-cases-hospitalizations-spike-as-new-variant-gains-foothold-00076747

China is burying the stats on its Covid nightmare 1/5/23 https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/covid-china-deaths-rcna64453

Could new Omicron variant XBB.1.5 fuel further Covid infections? 1/3/23https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/03/could-new-omicron-variant-xbb15-fuel-further-covid-infections

Once-favored Covid drugs ineffective on Omicron may be putting millions at risk 1/1/23 https://www.politico.com/news/2023/01/01/omicron-covid-antibody-drugs-immunocompromised-00075285

What is going on in Lakeway? 

Good Time Scavenger Hunt

Celebrate the New Year by walking the lower level of Lakeway City Park (502 Hurst Creek Road), looking for 26 clocks along the trail.  Each clock has a letter and number that corresponds to a hidden answer key.  Solve the secret message and win a prize!  FREE contest runs Dec. 31-Jan. 12.  Go here for more info: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1950/Good-Time-Scavenger-Hunt

Drivers Beware: In 2023, more golf carts will be puttering along our already crowded and inadequate local streets.

Lakeway’s new golf cart ordinance takes effect on Jan. 1, allowing them on some local public roads having speed limits not exceeding 35 mph. Restrictions include:

–Golf carts must be equipped with safety equipment–headlamps, tail lamps, reflectors, a parking brake and rearview mirrors.

— Golf carts must display a reflective slow-moving emblem on the rear.

–Golf carts must display a state-issued license plate obtained from the Travis County Tax Office.

–NO UNDERAGE DRIVERS.  Drivers must be of legal driving age, with a license.

—INSURANCE is required.

—Not allowed at night.

–Lap riding, standing passengers, towing equipment and driving on sidewalks/shared use paths are not permitted.

–Some local streets still do NOT allow golf carts, including Lakeway Drive (between Lakeway Boulevard & Cross Creek), Lohmans Spur (between RM 620 & Lohmans Crossing Road), Serene Hills Drive, Bee Creek Road, Flint Rock Road, SH 71 (including the right-of-way), and RM 620 (including the right-of-way).

Violation of golf cart rules is a misdemeanor, with fines up to $500.  Email the city  info@lakeway-tx.gov  or go here for more info: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2033/Golf-Cart-Use

Recycle your Christmas tree

City of Lakeway offers these options:

–Take the tree to Public Works (3303 Serene Hills Drive), weekdays 7AM-3:30PM, through Jan. 6.  This option is ONLY for real trees.  Remove all lights and decorations.   Don’t block the gate or driveway entrance to Public Works. 

–If you have solid waste services through Waste Connections, call (512) 314-7514 to schedule a pick-up time for your real OR artificial tree as part of the bulky waste program.  Tree cannot be over 6’ tall.

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

If you plan to trim oaks, JANUARY IS THE LAST MONTH TO DO IT (until summer). 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

History of Lakeway Bus Tours

Usually held in spring, these popular bus tours will be offered on Friday, January 20, 2023.  Choose from 9:15AM, 11:15AM, and 1:15PM.  Register NOW for this FREE event, which is expected to fill up quickly.  More info and the registration link are here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1171/Heritage-Trail

GIVE BLOOD

The next community blood drive at Lakeway Activity Center is on Saturday, ­­­Jan. 21, 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! 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/

Lakeway is HIRING in 2023

Open positions include Bilingual Administrative Assistant (temporary, part-time), Multimedia Specialist, Assistant City Manager, and Police officer. Go here for info and to apply: https://tx-lakeway.civicplushrms.com/CareerPortal/Jobs.aspx

Council Met on Dec. 19.

Six members were present on the dais, with Vance absent. RESULTS:

ITEM 10: Citizens Participation–NONE.

ITEM 12: Financial Report. Two months into the fiscal year, revenue is $242K BELOW projections (due to the county’s late mailing of property tax bills, which delayed funds coming in), and expenditures are $275K BELOW projections.

ITEM 13: Request by TexARTS for $70,000 in Hotel Occupancy Tax funds. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

ITEMS 14-17: Short Term Rental requests for 151 World of Tennis, 113 Edgewater Cove, 209 Golf Crest Lane, and 819 Mariner. All four: UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, with 819 Mariner restricted to 3 parked vehicles.

ITEM 18: Preliminary Plan approval at 570 Rupen, for a development of 10 single family R-1 lots on 5.59 acres, with $45,000 to be paid to the city in lieu of parkland dedication. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

ITEM 20: Amendments to Tree Ordinance. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

ITEM 22: Executive Session re: Attorney General Ruling OR2022-35833 as to personnel records to be released or withheld per a public information request. Motion to OPPOSE Attorney General Ruling OR2022-35833 was UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

Additional Item A-1: Executive Session re: sale, lease or exchange of real property. NO ACTION.

ADJOURNED at 7:39PM.

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/191516

NEXT Council Meeting

City Calendar shows the next Council meeting on TUESDAY, Jan. 17, at 6:30PM.

ZAPCO Meets Jan. 4, 9AM at City Hall.

Understanding Council issues starts with attending ZAPCO (Zoning and Planning) meetings.  They meet the first Wednesday of the month at 9AM in City Hall Chambers.  View the Agenda, Meeting Packet, and/or Presentation (scrolling down to ZAPCO documents) here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

Daring Mighty Things

The Orion capsule arrived back on Earth on Dec. 13 in a dramatic splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.  Duly recovered by the USS Portland, it has since been making its way from San Diego back to Florida’s Kennedy Space Center in a more prosaic fashion–via truck. Scheduled to arrive by end of 2022, Kennedy’s technicians will then open the hatch and unload several payloads (including three mannequins, living yeast samples, a Snoopy plush doll, Shaun the Sheep, Lego figurines, and a space version of Amazon’s Alexa–all studded with data-gathering sensors), with analysis of many experiments finally beginning.

There is a problem on the International Space Station.  On Dec. 15, a Soyuz spacecraft arrived, delivering 2 Russian cosmonauts and 1 NASA astronaut for a 4-month mission on ISS, despite the craft developing a severe coolant leak on the way there.  Now, the question is whether the Soyuz is safe for the return trip home, scheduled for March.  Options include Russia sending a rescue Soyuz up to ISS, or SpaceX stepping up to ferry the personnel back to Earth.  In the meantime, ISS is in the difficult situation of having more personnel on board than could be safely evacuated and returned to Earth, should an emergency develop at the orbiting station.  NASA ponders SpaceX astronaut rescue as backup after Soyuz leak: report 12/29/22 https://www.space.com/nasa-spacex-dragon-rescue-spacecraft-soyuz-leak

With liberty and justice for all … except women.

On Dec. 23, the FDA released guidance clarifying that “morning after pills” (Plan B One-Step) are NOT abortion pills.  Previously, the product was touted with this nonscientific marketing language: “works by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.”  The FDA has mandated this correction: “works before release of an egg from the ovary.”  The product package will also state this: “The pill will not work if you’re already pregnant, and will not affect an existing pregnancy.” Since the product acts before fertilization–not after–it is not an abortion pill. Of course, with abortion pills now under fire by red state legislatures, it is important to properly distinguish contraception products (although women’s right to contraception may well come under scrutiny soon by the radically conservative Supreme Court). The F.D.A. Now Says It Plainly: Morning-After Pills Are Not Abortion Pills 12/23/22  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/23/health/morning-after-pills-abortion-fda.html

Back to me….  

After several brutal years of pandemic, disappointment and upheaval, all I want from 2023 is a year that just leaves me the hell alone.

But, in honor of New Years, here is my list of 12 pithy resolutions/things to remember.  Some are original, others I gleefully stole.

–Drink more water.

–The best way to make a tough decision: Does it light me up?

–Massage your feet.

–In your closet and your life, subtract whenever you add.

–Stretch everything, from head to toe.

–When there is something bothering you, ask yourself: “Will this STILL be an issue in one week or in one month?”  If the answer is no, let it go.

–Just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean that you have to do it, or that it’s good for you.

–Take a breath.  Breathing is good, and the pause it affords in a crisis will calm you; it will also keep you from saying something regrettable, making you look good instead.

–Keep moving.

–Do it now, instead of later. 

–Try to be nice.

–Spend more time with your cat (or dog or kid or whoever you love spending time with….).

LAST CHANCE—Sign up for FREE yoga online to ease into the New Year with some grace!  Yoga with Adriene hosts its annual 30 DAYS OF FREE ONLINE YOGA this coming January.  Adriene Mishler is based in Austin, so the program has a fun local flair. I have participated for the last 5 years, and it is always rewarding.  Each day in January, you’ll get an email with a link to that day’s video session (15-30 minutes); participate per your own schedule.  Again, it is FREE and a great way to start a new year.  Get more info and sign up here: https://do.yogawithadriene.com/center?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2022-12-04%20Adriene%20Letter%20%2801GKC9W4BBTDWK9N9Y17D43FTP%29&_kx=60JQ6m0HDFiP_1cZURTRD_loCvvNys57I7HLRg4nj18%3D.RJFGiv

As usually happens this time of year, our deer are making themselves scarce.  I don’t have any recent photos, so here is a BEST OF 2022 gallery.

Best BUCK

Best DOE: a 3-way tie

Best HERD

Best FAWN–Newborn (single and twins)

Best FAWN–Juvenile: a tie

Best MOM AND BABY: another 3-way tie (I’m really bad at this.)

Just Too Cute to Leave Out

The Coronavirus   

In China, the Covid surge resulting from sudden withdrawal of restrictions hit factories hard, as economists predicted.  In major cities including Beijing, worker shortage levels are increasing daily.  Pharmacies have run out of drug stock; with people isolating at home out of fear of catching Covid, blood banks are depleted.  Mid-December, China’s top health authority estimated that 37 million people are being infected daily, making this outbreak the world’s largest by far.  With low vaccination rates, experts warn that 60% of China’s massive population could soon be infected.  (That amounts to one-tenth of the WORLD’s population.)  Hospitals are overrun in some areas. So are morgues and crematoriums; reportedly, deaths are being intentionally undercounted by officials, in order to downplay the crisis.  Nevertheless, China announced last week that, as of Jan. 8, travelers from overseas can enter the country without quarantine, just needing to show a recent negative Covid test.

Starting Jan, 5, air travelers arriving from China, including Hong Kong and Macau, will be required to present negative Covid-19 tests before entering the United States.  This applies to people of all nationalities, those connecting from China via a third country, and regardless of vaccination status.

In the US, in the last 2 weeks, the official stats show new cases and deaths dropped, with hospitalizations pretty much flat.  However, experts warn that this may well be due to reporting irregularities related to the holidays.  See the chart below for current stats. The national testing positivity rate rose to 15%.  

New York, New Jersey, and several southern states are currently having the worst Covid surges.

Dr. Anthony Fauci retired as of Dec. 31, after 54 years as a pioneer in public medicine and caring for America’s health.  There will be a special place in Hell for people smearing him for political reasons.  Excellent article on an amazing healer is here: ‘I had to fulfil my responsibility’: Fauci on his career, Covid and stepping down 12/25/22  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/25/fauci-interview-covid-trump-biden

Across America, people over age 65 are being admitted to hospitals at a rate 4 times that of younger patients.  Experts say this is largely because only 36% of this vulnerable age group has gotten the new booster designed to fight the current Covid variants.  As a result, those age 65 and older account for 95% of current Covid deaths.

A CDC study shows that the new bivalent booster reduces the risk of hospitalization by 50%.  GET BOOSTED!

Feeling sick?  This chart may help you figure out why.

In Texas, in the last 2 weeks, infections and deaths both rose 9%, while hospitalizations dropped 9%.  See the chart below for current stats. The positivity test rate rose to 18%.   (As noted above, stats tend to be less reliable over the holidays.)

Recent Covid Articles I Recommend

‘I had to fulfil my responsibility’: Fauci on his career, Covid and stepping down 12/25/22 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/25/fauci-interview-covid-trump-biden

As Covid Deaths Climb, Even Seniors Skip the Latest Booster 12/21/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/21/health/covid-bivalent-booster-elderly.html

China is on the brink of its first major Covid surge. How it copes will affect us all  12/21/22  https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/dec/21/china-covid-surge-vaccination-data-infected

New Covid Booster Shots Cut Risk of Hospitalization by Half, C.D.C. Reports 12/16/22  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/16/health/covid-boosters.html

What is going on in Lakeway? 

Trail of Lights

Stroll through Lakeway’s holiday light show any night, behind City Hall (located at Lohman’s Crossing and Sailmaster; park at City Hall or the adjacent Activity Center).  Lights will be on through Jan. 2.

TexARTS Holiday Musical

Celebrate the holiday with the swinging cabaret, A Cool Yule 2022: The Final Fa La La. Final performances are Dec. 17 and 18, 7:30PM.  The productionfeatures songs from Elvis, Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Sugarland, Michael Buble, Peggy Lee, and more favorites. The location is the Kam and James Morris Theatre (2300 Lohman’s Spur, Suite 160).  Go here for more info and tickets: https://www.tex-arts.org/upcoming-productions/

Menorah Lighting

Starting Sunday, Dec. 18 and for 8 nights at 5:30PM, local Jewish families will light the menorah in front of City Hall.  The community is welcome to attend. To participate in the lighting, email info@lakeway-tx.gov

Holiday Camps

Lakeway Activity Center offers kid camps in December.  For info and to sign up, go here and look under the “Holiday Camps” tab: www.lakeway-tx.gov/classes

Polar Bar Plunge

Celebrate one year ending and another beginning at the Lakeway Swim Center (3103 Lakeway BLVD) on Dec. 30, 9-10AM.  After taking the big slide into the leisure pool for a chilly dip, warm up with hot chocolate and snacks.  The first 20 participants get a Lakeway towel.  FREE and FUN event!  Go here for info: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2034/Polar-Bear-Plunge

A Night with the Austin Symphony Orchestra

CHRISTMAS GIFT ALERT!  Tickets are on sale NOW.

On Saturday, April 1, 2023, members of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and students at Lake Travis High School will present a 3^rd annual performance at the Lake Travis Performing Arts Center. Go here for details and tickets:  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1960/A-Night-with-the-Austin-Symphony-Orchest

Art Exhibit at Lake Travis Community Library

Through December, Lake Travis Community Library’s meeting room will display award-winning entries and honorable mentions from the annual Teen Read Week Art Contest.  Participants created original art inspired by personal reading experiences, and Friends of the Library provided cash prizes.

Suicide and Crisis Hotline

This isn’t specific to Lakeway—it is a free national resource that can save lives, and the number recently changed.  Sure, the holidays are fun and full of joy, but they are also stressful and can trigger pain and depression.  If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at988lifeline.org

Mayor Kilgore’s Facebook Update

The mayor gave a live talk on Dec. 15, just a 9-minute update.  Go here to watch: https://www.facebook.com/cityoflakeway/videos/487665573357368

Council Met on Dec. 5.

All members were present at this Workshop meeting, with Council Member Kumar attending via Zoom.  RESULTS: 

ITEM 5: Transportation Bond Update.

Jennifer Ritter of Specialized Public Finance gave a presentation on how and when would be best for the city to issue some or all of the $17.5M in transportation bonds that residents recently voted to approve. While NO ACTION WAS TAKEN, the consensus was that a partial bond will likely be offered next May, and Public Works suggested starting with culvert repair, some of the traffic lights, and resurfacing Lakeway Blvd. and Lakeway Drive. 

ITEM 6: FY 2022 Budget Amendment.

Finance Director Aaron Daigle reviewed several instances where estimates (such as for Hotel Occupancy Tax deposits and parkland fees) need to be replaced with actual numbers.  In addition, significant expenses planned for 2022 (some road work and several vehicle purchases) ended up being pushed to 2023. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. 

ITEM 7: Update on RM 620 overlay zoning district project (staff having completed Task 1 of 5 Tasks).

Senior Planner Charlie Sullivan reviewed staff’s completion of Task 1, summarizing the physical effects of the expansion on 620-facing property owners (as to parking, driveways, set-backs, monument signs, impervious cover, etc.)  He noted 240 impacts, 147 being major ones that would normally be handled with requests to ZAPCO for special use permits or variances.  Importantly, the city’s agreement with TXDOT requires the city to bear any cost to make properties code-compliant after the expansion, so it is in the city’s best interest to work with property owners.  Suggestions included applying a 25’ set-back to all the properties (instead of the 40’ set-back that applies to most commercial land), as well as not revoking grandfathered status due to expansion-caused changes.  It was stated that currently the best guess for TXDOT starting the 620 expansion is in 2025. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN, and staff will incorporate suggestions into the city’s overlay plan. 

ITEM 8: Amendments to Tree Ordinance.

City Forester Richard Leon discussed creating a Tree Protection Ordinance that gathers all of the city’s rules on trees into 1 section.  Classes of trees would be protected by location and species, with a Tree Fund established to take payments for removed trees; the city would use the funds to plant new trees or purchase land in order to preserve existing trees. He wants to get Lakeway designated as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Association.  Finally, he favors rescinding the current ban on planting Live Oaks, except in certified oak wilt areas.  NO ACTION WAS TAKEN, but a proposed ordinance will be revised per the discussion and likely voted on at the next meeting. 

ADJOURNED at 8:01PM. 

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/190512

Council Will Meet on Monday, Dec. 19, 6PM at City Hall.

Consequential Agenda items include: 

ITEM 10: Citizens Participation.

ITEM12: Financial Report.

ITEM 13: Request by TexARTS for $70,000 in Hotel Occupancy Tax funds.

ITEMS 14-17: Short Term Rental requests for 4 properties–151 World of Tennis, 113 Edgewater Cove, 209 Golf Crest Lane, and 819 Mariner.

ITEM 18: Preliminary Plan approval at 570 Rupen, for a development of 10 single family R-1 lots on 5.59 acres, with $45,000 to be paid to the city in lieu of parkland dedication.

ITEM 20: Amendments to Tree Ordinance.

ITEM 22: Executive Session re: Attorney General Ruling OR2022-35833 as to personnel records to be released or withheld per a public information request.

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

Daring Mighty Things

Wow—The Artemis mission’s amazing images include footage of the moon eclipsing Earth.  Go here for a short video: https://www.space.com/artemis-1-orion-moon-eclipse-earth-video

The entire Artemis I mission was textbook, and it concluded with Orion’s perfect splashdown in the Pacific on Dec. 11.  Crewed missions to the moon—first to orbit and later to land, explore, and inhabit–are planned starting in 2024. NASA’s Orion capsule blazes home from test flight to moon 12/11/22 https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/11/nasa-orion-capsule-splashdown-moon-00073403

See the best images from the mission here:  https://www.space.com/10-greatest-images-nasa-artemis-1-moon-mission

With liberty and justice for all … except women.

State legislatures across the country are gearing up to exploit the repeal of Roe, with extreme measures on the table as law-making sessions convene in 2023.  Proposed laws range from total abortion bans to attempts at making abortion pills illegal.  Currently, abortion is banned in 13 states.  If Republican-controlled state legislatures get their way, that number will double in the next 6 months.  With medication abortion now accounting for half the pregnancy terminations in the US, red states are determined to restrict telehealth consultations and ban the mailing of pills from other states and countries.  The state of Texas has sued the FDA, demanding that abortion pills be banned on a federal basis. Onslaught of new abortion restrictions looms in reddest of states 12/13/22 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/13/abortion-restrictions-us-state-legislatures

On the other hand, the Dobbs decision and the fall of Roe moving the abortion fight from the federal level down to the 50 states has worked out in favor of the pro-choice side in some ways.  In 4 states, abortion issues were on the November ballot; in all 4 cases, voters supported women’s rights and freedom of choice.  Not all states allow ballot initiatives, but look for abortion to come up for popular vote in more states over the next 2 years.  In addition, examining state constitutions closely has turned up existing language that may protect a woman’s right to abortion; courts will be construing language allowing citizens to control the shape of their families and to access the full panoply of health care options.  Also, in some states, the fact that abortion is up for discussion helped Democrats win state seats and sent Republican candidates packing; this, in turn, helps the pro-choice side.  This podcast is illuminating: The Unexpected Ways the left is Winning the Abortion Fight 12/14/22  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/14/podcasts/the-daily/abortion-rights-roe-v-wade-states.html

Back to me….  

December is eventful at my house, starting out with birthdays for all 3 of my cats.  The big days are nicely spaced a week apart, and by the time the catnip has settled from all that hoopla, Christmas is here.  So, I’ve been busy but will definitely get our tree decorated this weekend…. Here are Maxie, Tulip and Peanut celebrating.

With cold weather coming even to Texas, keep these foods in mind to help our birds withstand the winter.

Yoga with Adriene hosts its annual 30 DAYS OF FREE ONLINE YOGA this coming January.  Adriene is based in Austin, so the program has a fun local flair. I have participated for the last 5 years, and it is always rewarding.  Each day in January, you’ll get an email with a link to that day’s video session (15-30 minutes); participate per your own schedule.  Again, it is FREE and a great way to start a new year.  Get more info and sign up here: https://do.yogawithadriene.com/center?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2022-12-04%20Adriene%20Letter%20%2801GKC9W4BBTDWK9N9Y17D43FTP%29&_kx=60JQ6m0HDFiP_1cZURTRD_loCvvNys57I7HLRg4nj18%3D.RJFGiv

As usual for this time for year, the deer have become elusive. But here are the very few recent photos I was able to get of our herd. 

The Coronavirus

The UK is having its usual winter Covid surge, with infection rates soaring, hospitals full, and the most vulnerable dying.  Unlike the last 2 years, no one wants to take precautions of any kind.  Now, people are expected to “keep calm and carry on.”  Instead of even discussing the pandemic, society insists on moving on. 

China’s zero-Covid policy is no more. After 3 years of the strictest Covid-19 restrictions in the world, Chine abruptly caved to debilitating economic losses and embarrassing social pressures, including the worst public protests since 1989’s Tiananmen Square.  In what experts are calling “a messy pivot,” the government announced in early December that nearly all its repressive rules on testing, quarantine and protections were rescinded, based on the current Omicron variants being less deadly.  The problem is—that isn’t true, certainly not for a nation like China with little immunity built up from past infections, due to the country spending the pandemic to date hermetically sealed.  Plus, China has a low level of immunization, and its locally-created vaccine is far less effective than vaccines used in the rest of the world.  Add in a limited medical system, isolated communities with no health care at all, widespread poverty, and a massive elder population–and the result inevitably will be high infection rates, overrun hospitals, and mass casualties.  In addition to humanitarian concerns, there are others.  China operates as the world’s factory; widespread infections could shut down production, causing world-wide ripples.  From an epidemiological perspective, China’s gigantic unvaccinated population is a breeding found for new variants—some of which could cause deadlier disease and be less susceptible to our current vaccinations and treatments.  Already, a Covid surge is sweeping across China.  Beijing, in particular, looks like a city in lockdown, due to ill and afraid people isolating themselves.  

In the US, in the last 2 weeks, new cases and hospitalizations rose sharply.  This is the second recent big jump for these stats, echoing what happened after Thanksgiving.  But, this time, the death rate soared, as well; over 400 Americans are dying of Covid each day.  See the chart below for current stats. The national testing positivity rate rose to 12%.  

The US government is again shipping COMPLETELY FREE Covid-19 test kits to households requesting them. You can call 1-800-232-0233 or go here to request 4 free test kits: https://www.covid.gov/tests?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20221215&instance_id=80229&nl=the-morning&regi_id=122311001&segment_id=119595&te=1&user_id=85e9340cba19164d75f3915211a487be

If you have test kits on hand that show an old expiration date, know that in many cases the manufacturers provided the FDA with data to EXTEND these dates, with the kits still providing reliable results.  Go here for a chart showing all the kits, with ACTUAL expiration dates: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list

Covid-19 hospitalization in the US increased 30% since Thanksgiving.  With flu and RSV cases also soaring, hospital beds are scarce in many states.

Feeling sick?  This chart may help you figure out why.

With Covid’s winter surge, plus a tough flu and RSV season—things are especially dangerous for our elders and our kids.  Masks protect against all 3 diseases, so it makes sense now to wear masks in crowded public areas like grocery stores, public transportation, meetings, etc.  Also—test before attending holiday events and family gatherings, so you don’t pass along anything to loved ones.

In the US, currently, those age 65 and over account for 90% of new Covid deaths.  This is despite 94% of that group being vaccinated.  One problem is that only 34% of that group got boosters; crucially, only 14% of them got the new bivalent booster that protects against Omicron variants.  Because the immune system weakens with age, vaccines in general are not as effective and the benefit doesn’t last as long with the elderly as with younger people.  This makes boosters even more important for seniors.

According to a CDC review of death certificates filed Jan. 2020 through June 2022, long Covid contributed to nearly 4,000 American deaths.

A recent study found that vaccinations saved 3 million lives in the US.  Over 1 million Americans have died from Covid, but without vaccines the total would have been over 4 million. In addition, vaccines slashed the number of hospitalizations and saved over $1 trillion in medical costs.

On Dec. 15, Congress passed a massive military spending bill.  Republican Senators demanded that, despite Pres. Biden’s objection, it overturn the Pentagon’s 2021 mandate that troops receive the coronavirus vaccine.  Along with the many other vaccinations required in the military, that requirement resulted in over 95% of military personnel being protected against Covid-19.

On Dec. 8,the FDA authorized the new bivalent booster shot for kids 6 months and older.  It recommended children receive three shots of a Covid-19 vaccine — two doses of the original formulation and a bivalent dose at least two months following the second shot.

In Texas, in the last 2 weeks, infections jumped 69% and hospitalizations surged 57%.  Deaths more than doubled. See the chart below for current stats. The positivity test rate rose to 16%. 

Recent Covid Articles I Recommend

White House brings back free at-home COVID test orders as part of “winter preparedness plan” 12/15/22  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/free-covid-tests-at-home-order-online-white-house-winter-surge/

Covid vaccines averted 3 million deaths in U.S., according to new study 12/14/22 https://www.statnews.com/2022/12/13/covid-vaccines-prevented-3-million-deaths/

CDC says long Covid has contributed to thousands of U.S. deaths 12/14/22 https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/14/cdc-long-covid-deaths-00073816

Without a plan in place to minimize infection, a moving on strategy leaves vulnerable people behind 12/13/11  https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/dec/13/britain-forget-covid-moving-on-vulnerable-economy

As Covid Spreads Fast, Beijing Isn’t in Lockdown. But It Feels Like It.  12/13/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/13/world/asia/china-covid-zero-beijing.html

Do You Have Covid, Flu or R.S.V.? 12/13/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/13/well/covid-flu-rsv-symptoms.html

The Covid Pandemic’s Hidden Casualties: Pregnant Women 12/12/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/08/health/pregnant-women-covid-flu-vaccine.html

‘The situation in the hospitals is grim’: States face brutal virus fallout 12/11/22 https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/11/hospitals-states-virus-flu-covid-00073346

Masking could fight the ‘tripledemic’, experts say. Will anyone listen? 12/10/22 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/10/masks-tripledemic-covid-flu-rsv-us

FDA greenlights bivalent vaccines for children as young as 6 months old  12/8/22 https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/08/fda-greenlights-bivalent-vaccines-for-children-00073006

‘Zero Covid,’ Once Ubiquitous, Vanishes in China’s Messy Pivot 12/8/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/08/world/asia/china-covid-rollback.html

Covid-19 Isn’t a Pandemic of the Unvaccinated Anymore 12/7/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/07/opinion/environment/covid-19-pandemic-elderly-deaths.html

What is going on in Lakeway? 

Season of Giving

Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) makes it easy to give this holiday season.  Through Dec. 15, just drop off these items at LAC:

–new kids’ toys (unwrapped) for LTLOV-Green Santa.

–non-perishable food items for Lake Travis Crisis Ministries.

–pet food, toys, blankets, supplies, etc. for local pet charities.

–new and gently used books for LittleFreeLibrary.org and LAC’s library.

Trail of Lights

Stroll through Lakeway’s holiday light show any night, behind City Hall (located at Lohman’s Crossing and Sailmaster; park at City Hall or the adjacent Activity Center).  Lights will be on through Jan. 2.

Lakeway Sing Along Christmas Show for Green Santa

On Dec. 4, there will be TWO performances at the Lakeway Activity Center of the Sing Along’s Annual Green Santa Performance.  Choose from 2PM and 4PM.  Price of admission is an unwrapped gift for a child 17 or under.

Polar Express + Train Rides

On Dec. 9, 6-8PM, Lakeway Parks and Rec will present “The Polar Express” along with trackless train rides, in the City Hall parking lot (1102 Lohmans Crossing).  Wear holiday PJs and bring lawn chairs and snacks to this FREE event.  Hot chocolate and smores will be provided.

Piano Concert

On Sunday, Dec. 11 at 4PM, Lakeway Arts Committee hosts a FREE piano concert by Kiyoshi Tamagawa at the Activity Center. 

Menorah Lighting

Starting Sunday, Dec. 18 and for 8 nights at 5:30PM, local Jewish families will light the menorah in front of City Hall.  The community is welcome to attend. To participate in the lighting, email info@lakeway-tx.gov

Holiday Camps

Lakeway Activity Center offers kid camps in December.  For info and to sign up, go here and look under the “Holiday Camps” tab: www.lakeway-tx.gov/classes

Polar Bar Plunge

Celebrate one year ending and another beginning at the Lakeway Swim Center (3103 Lakeway BLVD) on Dec. 30, 9-10AM.  After taking the big slide into the leisure pool for a chilly dip, warm up with hot chocolate and snacks.  The first 20 participants get a Lakeway towel.  FREE and FUN event!  Go here for info: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2034/Polar-Bear-Plunge

A Night with the Austin Symphony Orchestra

CHRISTMAS GIFT ALERT!  

On Saturday, April 1, 2023, members of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and students at Lake Travis High School will present a 3^rd annual performance at the Lake Travis Performing Arts Center.

Tickets will be on sale starting Dec. 16.  

Go here for details:  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1960/A-Night-with-the-Austin-Symphony-Orchest

Art Exhibit at Lake Travis Community Library

Through December, Lake Travis Community Library’s meeting room will display award-winning entries and honorable mentions from the annual Teen Read Week Art Contest.  Participants created original art inspired by personal reading experiences, and Friends of the Library provided cash prizes.

Suicide and Crisis Hotline

This isn’t specific to Lakeway—it is a free national resource that can save lives, and the contact number recently changed.  Sure, the holidays are fun and full of joy, but they are also stressful and can trigger pain and depression.  If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

Lake Travis Community Library provides TECH HELP

Drop in from noon to 2PM Monday-Thursday and work with one of the tech coaches.  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/

Lakeway is HIRING

Open positions include Assistant City Manager, Code Compliance Manager, Multimedia Specialist, Aquatic Specialist, Plans Examiner, Building Inspector, and Police Officer. Go here for info and to apply:https://tx-lakeway.civicplushrms.com/CareerPortal/Jobs.aspx

Contact City of Lakeway

Complaint?  Question?  Trenchant observation?  Let city staff and elected officials know, here:  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/FormCenter/Contact-Us-3/Citizen-Feedback-70

Stay Informed

City of Lakeway will send you notices, via email or text, so you stay up to date on local events. Go here to sign up: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/list.aspx

Council met on Nov. 21.

Topics included building more hangers at the airpark, a 2^nd reading of the request that the city vacate and sell a lot in Cardinal Hills, paying Lakeway’s $3MIL share of right-of-way fees to expand 620, several special use permits, hiring a new City Manager, and more.

RESULTS: 

ITEM 29: Executive Session re: filling City Manager position—Moved to the start of the meeting, Council went into a brief private session and then came back to the dais and announced the selection committee’s choice of JOSEPH MOLIS. Council UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED the choice.  (Mr. Molis has served as Assistant City Manager since late 2020 and as Interim City Manager since September. Go here for his profile:  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1696  )

ITEM 11: Nov. 26 was designated as SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY.

ITEM 12: Financial Report–As of Oct. 31 (one month into fiscal year 2023), REVENUE was $139K above projections, and EXPENDITURES were $12K less than projected.

ITEM 13: Citizens Participation—2 PEOPLE SPOKE (One was rather testy, but there was no argument, shouting, or fisticuffs—progress!)

ITEM 15: Acceptance of the Nov. 8 election’s passage of Proposition A/Lakeway Transportation Bond– UNANIMOUSLY PASSED.

ITEM 16: Payment of $3,222,096.70 to TXDOT, being Lakeway’s previously agreed 10% share of costs associated with acquiring the right of way needed for the upcoming widening of Highway 620– UNANIMOUSLY PASSED.

ITEM17: Special Use Permit for a Short Term Rental at 4 Casa Verde–UNANIMOUSLY PASSED.

ITEM 18: Special Use Permit for a Short Term Rental at 105 Palos Verdes–UNANIMOUSLY PASSED.

ITEM 19: Special Use Permit (term of 99 years) for Haythem Dawlett to build (and sell condo units from) 2 new hangers at the airpark–UNANIMOUSLY PASSED with a limit of 4 planes per hanger and requiring the new hangers to match existing hangers in design and exterior color.

ITEM 20: Special Use Permit (term of 30 years) for a liquor store at 2303 RR 620 South (Vista Ridge Shopping Center, by Randalls) –UNANIMOUSLY PASSED. (How many liquor stores does Lakeway need? I think this will be #4 or #5….)

ITEM 21: Final Plat of Lakeway Highlands Phase 3 Section 7, in Rough Hollow–UNANIMOUSLY PASSED.

ITEM 22: Second Reading (and vote on) a request that the City of Lakeway vacate an undeveloped portion of Sparrow Lane extending north of Dave Drive and abutting Lot 99 of Cardinal Hills Subdivision, Unit 4, then selling the land to the owner of Lot 99 (the land’s value being $55,221 per the lot owner but $96,510 per the city)—request was UNANIMOUSLY DENIED.

ITEM 26: Revising the ordinance as to storm sewers and illicit discharge of materials–UNANIMOUSLY PASSED.

ITEM 27: Changing Council meetings BACK to 6:30PM start time—PASSED 5:1 (Byrnteson against), with the proviso that regular meetings return to the good old 6:30PM start time in JANUARY.

ITEM 28: Additional Citizens Participation, if needed–NONE. 

ADJOURNED at 8:40PM.

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/190050

Council Will Meet Monday, Dec. 5, 6PM, at City Hall.

Consequential Agenda items include: 

ITEM 5: Transportation Bond Update.

ITEM 6: FY 2022 Budget Amendment.

ITEM 7: Update on RM 620 overlay zoning district project (staff having completed Task 1 of 5 Tasks).

ITEM 8: Amendments to Tree Ordinance.

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

Daring Mighty Things

The Artemis I mission is going well.  Orion left lunar orbit as planned on Dec. 1.  It is scheduled to return to Earth and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on Dec 11.

Above, with Earth very far away, Artemis’ capsule Orion looms over the moon, getting within 81 miles from the surface before sling-shotting into orbit.

Here, while flying in a distant retrograde lunar orbit last week, Orion views both the moon and Earth.

Back to me….  

Another busy holiday season…. 

Remember to keep pets safe.

Here are recent photos I took of our herd. 

The Coronavirus   

Worldwide, vaccination rates vary widely by region.

In China, unprecedented public protests against the government’s stringent Covid policy started at Beijing universities but spread to Shanghai and throughout the massive country.  Protestors are daring to call for democracy and the end of permanent President Xi Jinping’s rule.  Despite the precaution of holding up BLANK signs, oppressive government forces track citizens via their phones and have responded by beating protesters in the streets and arresting them in droves.  Unlike any other country in the world, China has enforced strict restrictions for close to THREE YEARS.  The last straw may have been a fire in an apartment building, killing a dozen people who were trapped inside by Covid blockades.  Beijing schools switched to online teaching as of Nov. 21, with residents of several districts required to limit their movements as the city’s Covid cases climbed.  The south China city of Guangzhou locked down its largest district on Nov. 21; in-person classes and public transit were suspended, with residents required to present a negative test to leave their homes.  As China’s death rate climbs, the government is pressing the elderly to get vaccinated; that cohort is the most vulnerable yet has the lowest vaccination rate.

In Australia, cases doubled during November, and hospitalizations rose 20%.  Authorities predict the surge there will peak by Christmas.

In the US, in the last 2 weeks, new cases and hospitalizations rose sharply.  See the chart below for current stats. The national testing positivity rate rose to 11%.  

This increase in cases and hospitalizations is the norm for this time of year, with Thanksgiving travel and gathering, plus winter weather keeping people indoors.  The entire country is affected, with California and New Mexico seeing the strongest surges. 

Incredibly, only 15% of Americans have gotten the new bivalent booster.  This shot was created to fight the current Omicron variants.  The data shows it works—reducing the infection rate and making severe disease/hospitalization/death far less likely.  GET THE NEW BOOSTER.  All the local pharmacies have it, so the process is easy, quick, and free.  GET IT NOW, so you and those you love are protected over the Christmas holiday. 

After over a year, Omicron variants (BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 at present) still dominate the pandemic.  Omicron first made news LAST Thanksgiving, taking over as the new big bad variant, after Delta had held sway since summer of 2021. In the US as of the end of November, our variant soup includes once-dominant BA.5 accounting for just 19% of new cases. Its descendant BQ.1 accounts for 28%, with its offspring, BQ.1.1., causing 29% of new cases. Thirteen other Omicron subvariants make up the rest.

Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean reinstated mask mandates and other restrictions after recent Covid outbreaks on cruise ships.

The FDA has revoked Covid authorization for the monoclonal antibody known as bebtelovimab (manufactured by Eli Lilly), because it is not effective against the current Omicron variants.  This treatment was previously used to good effect on immune-compromised patients unable to take the oral antiviral Paxlovid.

Twitter users beware.  Per the new and chaotic management: “Effective November 23, 2022, Twitter is no longer enforcing the COVID-19 misleading information policy.”

In Texas, in the last 2 weeks, hospitalizations rose by 49%.  See the chart below for current stats. The positivity test rate rose to 12%.

Recent Covid Articles I Recommend

FDA pulls Covid antibody treatment because it’s not effective against dominant omicron variants 12/1/22 https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/01/covid-fda-pulls-antibody-bebtelovimab-because-not-effective-against-omicron-bqpoint1.html

Happy Birthday, Omicron 11/26/22  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/26/science/omicron-birthday-variant-evolution.html

RSV, covid and flu push hospitals to the brink — and it may get worse 11/20/22  https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/11/20/hospital-capacity-rsv-flu-covid/

What is going on in Lakeway? 

Art Exhibit at Lake Travis Community Library

For all of November and December, Lake Travis Community Library’s meeting room will display award-winning entries and honorable mentions from the annual Teen Read Week Art Contest.  Participants created original art inspired by personal reading experiences. Friends of the Library provided cash prizes.

Lights Out, Texas! Through the end of November, please.

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

GREEN SANTA Donations

LTLov’s Green Santa gives toys and assistance to Lake Travis children and families at or below the poverty line.  YOU can help by dropping off donations at Lake Travis Community Library by Wed., Nov. 30.  Suggested gifts include sports equipment, dolls, puzzles and games, gift cards, toddler toys, and art supplies.  Cash donations can be made via Venmo or checks payable to LTLov. (See the Sing Along entry below for another opportunity to donate.)

Lights On!

On Friday, Dec. 2, 6-8PM, Lakeway’s Lights On marks the official beginning of the holiday season, with the first lighting of the Trail of Lights behind City Hall (located at Lohman’s Crossing and Sailmaster; park at City Hall or the adjacent Activity Center).  Santa and Mrs. Claus will of course be on hand, supervising the cookie decorating, marshmallow roasting, Reindeer Games, music, and more.  All FREE, but please bring non-perishable food items to benefit Lake Travis Crisis Ministries.  All the fun stuff is detailed here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1427/Lights-On

Lakeway Sing Along Christmas Show for Green Santa

On Dec. 4, there will be TWO performances at the Lakeway Activity Center of the Sing Along’s Annual Green Santa Performance.  Choose from 2PM and 4PM.  Price of admission is an unwrapped gift for a child 17 or under.

Polar Express + Train Rides

On Dec. 9, 6-8PM, Lakeway Parks and Rec will present “The Polar Express” along with trackless train rides, in the City Hall parking lot (1102 Lohmans Crossing).  Wear holiday PJs and bring lawn chairs and snacks to this FREE event.  Hot chocolate and smores will be provided.

History of Lakeway Bus Tours

Usually held in spring, these popular bus tours will be offered on Friday, January 20, 2023.  Choose from 9:15AM, 11:15AM, and 1:15PM.  Register NOW for this FREE event, which is expected to fill up quickly.  More info and the registration link are here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1171/Heritage-Trail

Lake Travis Community Library DELIVERS

For those homebound due to mobility or medical issues, staff members deliver books, DVDs, audios and more, on a monthly basis and FREE.  Call (512) 263-2885 to get started.

Veterans Day Video

IF you missed Lakeway’s Nov. 11 Veterans Day ceremony, watch the video here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1426/Veterans-Day-Ceremony

Mayor Kilgore’s Facebook Update

The mayor gave a live update on Nov. 17, just 10 minutes long.  Go here to watch: https://www.facebook.com/cityoflakeway/videos/457807636270825

Transportation Bond PASSES

Approximately 10,196 Lakeway residents voted in the Nov. 8 election.  Lakeway’s Prop A passed with 66.71% of the vote.  Most of the bond funds will go toward culvert improvements, traffic lights, and resurfacing and depth repair for existing streets, but $4 million could be used to build out and add a bridge to Birrell Street (assuming Stratus fulfills its obligation to build Main Street through its tract behind HEB). https://communityimpact.com/austin/lake-travis-westlake/election/2022/11/08/lakeway-transportation-bond-for-improvements-new-road-passes/

Council Met on Nov. 7

All members were present on the dais.  RESULTS:

ITEM 5: Officer pinning ceremony. Chief Koen introduced 2 NEW OFFICERS and 2 NEWLY PROMOTED OFFICERS to the city.  Go here and watch the first few minutes of the proceedings to meet these officers: https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/189100

ITEM 6: Texas Special Olympics 2023 requests $200,000 from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund.  APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY, with the proviso the applicant must correct its submission form to show funds to be used for advertising as state law allows for HOT funds.

ITEM 7: Lady Cavalier’s Holiday Basketball Tournament requests $56,000 from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund. POSTPONED until the Nov. 21 meeting, at the request of staff, so the submission form can be revised.

ITEM 8: Annexation of the section of Bee Creek Road from the Highlands Blvd. traffic circle to State Highway 71.  APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

ITEM 10: Revising Code of Ethics as to gifts received by city employees, including police officers.  After extensive and often heated discussion, the ordinance change suggested by Ethics Committee was APPROVED, by a vote of 4:3 (Kilgore, Vance and Kumar opposing), but with several material additions, changes and deletions.  As to the most controversial issue on gift reporting and transparency, the city review committee was scrapped, as was employee reporting of gifts received.  Instead, a charity giving more than $3,000 per year must file a report with the city, just listing the number of gifts and the total given (with no identifying or personal information on the recipient). In my view, Lakeway’s exemplary Code of Ethics was gutted by the vote of 4 Council members.

ITEM 11: Revising the penalty ordinance against night flying to comply with recent changes to the Aviation Code defining terms, as well as specifying a maximum fee of $500 per offense. Again, after heated discussion, this PASSED 4:3 (Trecker, Brynteson and Szimanski opposing).

NOTE: This is NOT a happy Council, nor—in my opinion–a well-functioning body.  As they say, one bad apple spoils the whole barrel.  Also, elections matter.

ADJOURNED: 10:43PM.

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/189100

Council meets Monday, Nov. 21 at 6:00pm, at City Hall.

Topics include building more hangers at the airpark, a 2^nd reading of the request that the city vacate and sell a lot in Cardinal Hills, paying Lakeway’s $3MIL share of right-of-way fees to expand 620, several special use permits, another Exec Session on filling the City Manager job, and more.

Consequential Agenda items include: 

ITEM 11: Proclaiming Nov. 26 as Small Business Saturday.

ITEM 12: Financial Report.

ITEM 13: Citizens Participation (up to 30 minutes, with more time at end of meeting, if needed).  [Behave, people, if only in appreciation of this item being returned to the front of the Agenda, after several ugly episodes got it banished to the end of the night.]

ITEM 15: Canvassing the election returns as to Proposition A/Lakeway Transportation Bond.

ITEM 16: Payment of $3,222,096.70 to TXDOT, being Lakeway’s previously agreed 10% share of costs associated with acquiring the right of way needed for the upcoming widening of Highway 620.

ITEM17: Special Use Permit for a Short Term Rental at 4 Casa Verde.

ITEM 18: Special Use Permit for a Short Term Rental at 105 Palos Verdes.

ITEM 19: Special Use Permit (term of 99 years) for Haythem Dawlett to build and operate 2 new hangers at the airpark.

ITEM 20: Special Use Permit (term of 30 years) for a liquor store at 2303 RR 620 South (Vista Ridge Shopping Center, by Randalls).

ITEM 21: Final Plat of Lakeway Highlands Phase 3 Section 7, in Rough Hollow.

ITEM 22: Second Reading (and vote on) a request that the City of Lakeway vacate an undeveloped portion of Sparrow Lane extending north of Dave Drive and abutting Lot 99 of Cardinal Hills Subdivision, Unit 4, then selling the land to the owner of Lot 99 (the land’s value being $55,221 per the lot owner but $96,510 per the city).

ITEM 26: Revising the ordinance as to storm sewers and illicit discharge of materials.

ITEM 27: Changing Council meetings BACK to 6:30PM start time. (Looking forward to the interesting story that must come with this one.)

ITEM 28: Additional Citizens Participation, if needed.

ITEM 29: Executive Session re: filling City Manager position.

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

Daring Mighty Things

Success!  Artemis 1 blasted off in the wee hours of Nov. 16.  After 4 delays (2 technical, 2 due to hurricanes) in September and October, this much-anticipated launch was flawless.  Artemis will reach the moon on Nov. 21, orbit it at various altitudes, and then head back home, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 11.  The uncrewed flight is a massive test of current technology, including a dozen mannequins (NASA calls them Moonikins) on board equipped with sensors registering force, temperature, radiation and much more, to help NASA prepare for later flights carrying astronauts to the moon and beyond.  This article details what the mission will include and when: https://www.space.com/artemis-1-moon-mission-next-steps?utm_campaign=58E4DE65-C57F-4CD3-9A5A-609994E2C5A9

The above image shows Artemis in space, an hour after launch, with Earth peering up from the lower right.  Part of the space capsule, known as Orion, is shown in its own external camera view, specifically its Orbital Maneuvering System engine, auxiliary engines, and solar array.  This shot was taken when the craft was 57,000 miles from Earth (about 20% of the way to the moon), while traveling at nearly 5,500 mph.

Before launch, Artemis 1 fed a LOT of people with a sweet tooth.  This image shows a replica made of CAKE in the foreground, with the actual rocket in back.  The cake version was 3’ tall, while the rocket assembly stood well over 300’ high. 

Above is the Webb telescope’s new image of Wolf–Lundmark–Melotte, a dwarf galaxy positioned 3 million miles away from Earth.  Aside from being so very pretty, the galaxy—located in the constellation of Cetus–is one of the most remote members of the local galaxy group that contains our galaxy. Being isolated and without interaction with other galaxies, WLM is perfect for the study of how stars evolve in smaller galaxies.

Divers off the coast of Florida filming a History Channel documentary on downed World War II aircraft discovered a huge sheet of wreckage from Challenger, the space shuttle that exploded shortly after launch in 1986, killing all 7 astronauts aboard.  Partly buried in the sandy bottom, the debris measures well over 15’X15’ and is the largest remnant of the tragedy discovered in decades.  Recovery measures are underway.  https://www.space.com/space-shuttle-challenger-debris-found-history-channel?utm_campaign=58E4DE65-C57F-4CD3-9A5A-609994E2C5A9

 With liberty and justice for all … except women.

Five states—California, Michigan, Vermont, Kentucky and Montana—had abortion-related propositions on the Nov. 8 ballot.  In all five states, voters chose to protect a woman’s right to choose.  Voters deliver ringing endorsement of abortion rights on midterm ballot initiatives across the US  11/9/22 https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/09/politics/abortion-rights-2022-midterms

On the other hand, the abortion pill that many women have turned to after being denied access to surgical abortion is now under attack by the right.  Anti-abortion organizations sued HHS and the FDA (in a Texas court, of course) on Nov. 18, trying to reverse the FDA’s approval of the abortion medication mifepristone. The drug was approved 22 years ago.  Anti-abortion groups seek to overturn FDA approval of abortion pill 11/18/22 https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/18/anti-abortion-groups-seek-to-overturn-fda-approval-of-abortion-pill-00069542

Back to me….  

I’m both shocked and disgusted overall by the election results in Texas.  Other states had both high turnout and sensible voting when the vital issues of abortion rights and election denial were on the ballot.  Yet, Texas had LESS voter turnout—with notably few younger voters–than in the 2018 mid-terms.  AND, by and large, the same tired and corrupt GOP hacks won yet again in Texas—despite our state leaders limiting voting rights AND stripping away the right to abortion here a full year before the Supreme Court did that to the rest of the country.  Also—despite Beto O’Rourke providing the often demanded young and fresh political option.  Maybe Texas is just a lost cause.

Also, I’m still unnerved by those couple hours last week when it looked like the US could well be at war with Russia.  While that missile strike in Poland/NATO territory now seems to have been a tragic accident, so much remains on edge, with bad actors and simple human error always in the mix. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  It is officially time to stress out over the holidays….  Pet owners, remember to keep them safe during this hectic holiday. (The items listed below are dangerous to CATS, as well as to dogs.)

Also, KEEP YOUR PETS AND ANY VISITING PETS SAFE AND INDOORS.  Coyotes are always in and around Lakeway, but there have been frequent sightings lately.  That is common this time of year, when coyote pups are old enough to be out and about on their own.  Cats and small dogs are easy prey for coyotes.  City of Lakeway’s website has extensive wildlife info, including a coyote page with good info on keeping pets and people safe. https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1924/Coyotes

Local social media posts report several bucks being hit by cars in Lakeway recently.  Rut season continues through December, with bucks chasing does, often across our roads.  PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY, especially around dawn and dusk.  Install deer whistles (under $10 at auto stores or from Amazon) on your vehicle.  At night, use high beams.  If you see ONE deer, look for MORE deer.  SLOW DOWN.

Here are recent photos I took of our herd. For some reason, my close sightings lately were all does.

The Coronavirus   

Worldwide, 12.96 billion shots have been given, with 65% of the planet’s population fully vaccinated. 

This chart shows the vaccination types and rates for regions around the world.

China reacted to concern over its growing economic downturn by relaxing very slightly some of its long-term Covid restrictions.  In an effort to ease international travel, people entering China will quarantine for 8 days instead of 10 days; testing is also reduced and penalties on airlines removed.  Domestically, contact tracing has been limited, which should reduce the mass testing that previously led to millions of people abruptly held under government quarantine. However, “zero Covid” remains China’s official policy.

In the US, in the last 2 weeks, new cases and hospitalizations continued slowly rising, while deaths dropped.  See the chart below for current stats. The national testing positivity rate rose slightly to 8.4%.   

As for vaccinations in the US, 68.5% of the entire population is fully vaccinated.

Roughly half the country is seeing flat or dropping case numbers, with the other half showing a rise in cases.  Generally, southwestern states have the highest rates.  Experts expect the usual winter surge to hit in force soon after the traveling and gathering associated with Thanksgiving.  This would be less of an issue if more people had gotten the new booster that protects against the current variants.

Cruise ships are STILL not safe.  On Nov. 13, Carnival’s Majestic Princess docked in Sydney, Australia, with over 800 Covid-positive passengers.

As of mid-November, Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 made up 45% of cases in the country, up from about 33 percent one week previously.

While dominant variant BQ.1.1 has not turned out to cause cases any more severe than its predecessors, BQ.1.1 is resistant to monoclonal antibodies (Evusheld and Bebtlelovimab) that worked well against the other Omicron variants. That means we now lack preventive therapy for immunocompromised people, as well as backup therapy when Paxlovid isn’t successful.

Studies show the usual Covid symptoms remain—cough, loss of smell, sore throat, fever, exhaustion.  But, some odd symptoms are being reported, as well.  These include hair loss, body numbness or tingling, purple blisters on the feet, hairy tongue (actually, a fuzzy overgrowth of cells), and more.

While the chaos, uncertainty and stress caused by the pandemic aggravated mental health issues for pretty much everyone, it did so specifically for those infected by Covid-19.  A large 2021 study found that over 50% of Americans with Covid reported symptoms of major depressive disorder after a coronavirus infection.  Symptoms arose up to a year after diagnosis.  Experts point out that Covid’s effects on the brain are myriad and not yet understood; patients can get depression, strokes, anxiety, memory disorders and sensory disorders, while some suffer no neurological or psychiatric conditions.

A large study done last spring by Veterans Affairs found that Paxlovid treatment reduced the incidence of Long Covid by 26%.

Covid funding is up to Congress.  The Biden administration has asked Congress to approve $8 billion in funding to prepare for a domestic Covid-19 winter surge, plus $1 billion to aid the global vaccination effort.  In addition, $4 billion would go toward developing next-generation vaccines and therapeutics through Project Warp Speed.  Without an infusion of funds, it is unlikely the US will produce the two most coveted kinds of next-generation vaccines: nasal sprays that can block more infections, and universal coronavirus shots to defend against a wider array of ever-evolving variants.

U.S. special climate envoy John Kerry tested positive for Covid-19 on Nov. 18 while at the global climate talks in Egypt.  He is fully vaccinated and boosted and experiencing mild symptoms; Mr. Kerry is self-isolating and meeting with others remotely to wrap up negotiations.

In Texas, in the last 2 weeks, new cases jumped by a whopping 57%, while hospitalizations and deaths rose somewhat.  See the chart below for current stats. The positivity test rate rose to 7.1%

Only 62% of all Texas residents are fully vaccinated. 

Recent Covid Articles I Recommend

The End of Vaccines at ‘Warp Speed’ 11/18/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/18/health/covid-nasal-vaccines-warp-speed.html

5 Unusual Covid Symptoms–and what to do about them 11/16/22 https://www.nytimes.com/article/unusual-covid-symptoms.html

As the Pandemic Drags On, Americans Struggle for New Balance 11/14/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/14/health/covid-attitudes-masks.html

Cruise ship with 800 Covid-positive passengers docks in Sydney 11/13/22 https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/13/australia/australia-covid-majestic-princess-cruise-passengers-intl-hnk

Covid Depression Is Real. Here’s What You Need to Know 11/12/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/12/well/long-covid-depression-symptoms-treatment.html

Masks Cut Covid Spread in Schools, Study Finds 11/10/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/10/health/covid-schools-masks.html

Covid Patients Coming Off Ventilators Can Take Weeks to Regain Consciousness 11/7/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/07/health/covid-patients-ventilators-consciousness.html

Nirmatrelvir and the Risk of Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19  11/5/22 https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.11.03.22281783v1

LAKEWAY—GO VOTE!

If you didn’t vote by mail or during Early Voting, then Election Day, Tuesday Nov. 8, is your LAST CHANCE.  Hours are 7AM-7PM.  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’s unhinged far-right conservatives threaten their neighbors.

One Lakeway couple who got this hate letter due to their Beto sign did an interview last week with Austin’s Fox 7.  Here’s the link: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/voter-intimidation-lakeway-texas-threatening-letter-beto-orourke-greg-abbott

Info on the candidates and the LTISD bonds is in the Texas Election section below.

What is going on in Lakeway? 

Art Exhibit at the Library

Starting Nov.1 and continuing through December, Lake Travis Community Library’s meeting room will display award-winning entries and honorable mentions from the annual Teen Read Week Art Contest.  Participants created original art inspired by personal reading experiences. Friends of the Library provided cash prizes.

Christmas Sale

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 all who served 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 Nutcracker and other classical ballet pieces.  For more info on this FREE performance, go here:  https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1685

Lights On!

On Friday, Dec. 2, 6-8PM, Lakeway’s Lights On FREE event marks the beginning of the holiday season, with the first lighting of the Trail of Lights behind City Hall (at Lohman’s Crossing and Sailmaster—park at City Hall or the adjacent Activity Center).  Santa and Mrs. Claus will of course be on hand, supervising the cookie decorating, marshmallow roasting, Reindeer Games, music and more.  FREE, but please bring non-perishable food items to benefit Lake Travis Crisis Ministries.  All the fun stuff is detailed here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1427/Lights-On

Lakeway Sing Along Christmas Show for Green Santa

On Dec. 4, there will be TWO performances at the Lakeway Activity Center of the Sing Along’s Annual Green Santa Performance.  Choose from 2PM and 4PM.  Price of admission is an unwrapped gift for a child 17 or under.

New Rules for Golf Carts

In October, Council (IMO, unadvisedly caving in to a few loud voices and ignoring safety and traffic flow considerations) passed a new ordinance allowing golf carts on many–but not all–Lakeway streets.  THIS DOES NOT GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL JAN. 1, 2023.  Importantly, drivers must be licensed (NO KIDS AT THE WHEEL), everyone must be seated, no lap riding (no babies/toddlers held by adults), during DAYLIGHT only, must have liability insurance, must have a State of Texas license plate, must have safety equipment, etc.  Violations subject to $500 fine.  For the MANY more rules and links to state regs, go here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2033/Golf-Cart-Use

Council SPECIAL Meeting on Nov. 2

The ONLY Agenda items for this special meeting were two Executive Sessions, on hiring of a new City Manager and re: sale/lease/exchange of real property.

There was NO ACTION TAKEN at the meeting on either Agenda item.  They did spend 2.5 hours in Executive Session on the hunt for a new City Manager, before adjourning at 8:44PM.

Next Council Meeting will be on Nov. 7, 6:00pm, at City Hall. Topics include another try at revising the Code of Ethics rules on gifts to employees/police officers, adjusting night flying rules and penalties, annexing Bee Creek Road, and HOT Fund requests by 2 groups.

Consequential items include:

ITEM 5: Officer pinning ceremony.

ITEM 6: Texas Special Olympics 2023 requests $200,000 from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund.

ITEM 7: Lady Cavalier’s Holiday Basketball Tournament requests $56,000 from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund.

ITEM 8: Annexation of the section of Bee Creek Road from the Highlands Blvd. traffic circle to State Highway 71.

ITEM 10: Revising Code of Ethics as to gifts received by city employees, including police officers.

ITEM 11: Revising the penalty ordinance against night flying to comply with recent changes to the Aviation Code defining the term, as well as specifying a maximum fee of $500 per offense.

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 (live or later): https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1062/Videos—Meetings-Events

Texas November Election

VOTE  VOTE  VOTE   Election Day is Nov. 8, 7AM-7PM  VOTE  VOTE  VOTE

VOTE ALL THE WAY DOWN THE BALLOT, 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 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. https://www.statesman.com/story/news/state/2022/10/18/early-voting-texas-election-2022/69568897007/

Candidates aside, Lake Travis ISD will ask voters to approve $703 million in bonds, during the November election.  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 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

Daring Mighty Things

As shown above, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory caught the sun smiling on Oct. 26. Viewed in ultraviolet light, coronal holes are dark patches on the sun and indicate where solar wind is escaping into space.  Whether this particular smile appears happy or kind of menacing to you (I vote for the latter), the result was a solar storm–mass and energy from the solar surface–that reached Earth last weekend.  As a result, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, which among other things predicts space weather) issued solar storm warnings for several days, including possible power grid fluctuations, interference with satellite operations, and increased aurora visibility. Luckily, the resulting changes to our planet’s magnetic field had no serious reported negative impacts.  https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/alerts-watches-and-warnings

Above, 2 images show the difference between the venerable Hubble telescope orbiting Earth and the brand-new Webb telescope parked a million miles away.  Both show the same cosmic landscape known as Pillars of Creation—mountain-like formations of gas and dust in the Eagle Nebula, one of the busiest star nurseries in the Milky Way galaxy.  The Hubble shot was taken 27 years ago, using visible light, while Webb now captures infrared light to produce gobsmacking images highlighting details no human eye has ever seen.

On Oct. 24, a cargo ship already docked with the International Space Station performed a five-minute engine burn, shoving the orbiting apparatus out of the path of space debris.  Not for the first time, the ISS used a thruster burn to modify its orbital position and dodge an incoming fragment of a satellite destroyed in a 2021 Russian anti-satellite test.  Normal station operations were not compromised.  The proliferation of space debris resulting from this and similar tests has prompted several nations (including the Republic of Korea, Germany, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom) to work to reduce the problem.

We get a total lunar eclipse on Nov. 8, as the full moon moves completely into Earth’s shadow.  In Lakeway, the “blood moon” totality runs from 4:16am-5:41am.

Artemis 1 is back on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center and scheduled to launch on or after Nov. 14.  Its uncrewed flight around the moon and back will lay the foundations for a crewed moon orbit mission likely in 2023 and then landing astronauts on the moon as early as 2024.  Watch here for updates and to view the launch: https://www.space.com/

With liberty and justice for all … except women.

Women all over the country are turning to abortion pills, after the Supreme Court allowed states to ban surgical abortion last summer.  One telemedicine service, Aid Access, openly provides pills in states with abortion bans; its average number of daily inquiries rose form 83 when Roe was in effect, to 218 currently.  The legality is debatable, and red states are threatening action.  Some blue states passed laws shielding providers who perform abortions for women traveling from states with bans. Over the summer, Massachusetts passed a law shielding its providers when they offer telemedicine abortions to people within red states.  The New Abortion Landscape 11/2/22  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/02/briefing/abortion-pills.html

A kinder, gentler experience…  That is something in short supply these days, isn’t it?  Well, a service called Elevated Access was created to ease the difficulties—impossibilities in some states—pregnant people now face after the rights that women had for 50 years were stolen by the current extreme conservative SCOTUS.  Pilots across the country are volunteering their services and their planes to fly women to and from the 3,000 general aviation airports scattered across the country.  Elevated Access gets women to the health care they have decided is best for them–without money, delays, paperwork, TSA, or regard for state lines and conflicting laws.  Already having completed hundreds of missions, the program recently flew its first all-female pilot mission, involving seven states and two solo female pilots flying a 1,400-mile relay to transport a client.  (Just 6% of pilots in the US are female.)  The passengers are anonymous; the only thing that those being transported need to divulge is weight, so the small planes can be balanced for safety.  Elevated Access connects passengers to pilots through referrals by its partner organizations such as Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion Federation.  Volunteer pilots are carefully screened, with references and backgrounds checks; to participate, pilots must have twice the flight experience the FAA requires for a commercial license.  Most pilots do these flights in their spare time, and their own anonymity protects them from possible reprisals at their regular jobs.  Each flight costs several hundreds of dollars in fuel and plane fees, all borne by the volunteer pilots. The pilots flying passengers across US state lines for abortions 10/30/22 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/30/us-abortion-flights-elevated-access

Back to me….  

Looking forward to returning to normal time this weekend, so that mornings are light sooner.  I’m spending my “extra hour” cuddling with my sweet kitty girls.

Rut season is in full swing, and our bucks are quite full of themselves.  Our does are skittish. There is lots of dashing around, and no one is checking for traffic both ways.  PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY.  

Here are recent photos I took of our herd.

The Coronavirus   

Worldwide, 12.92 billion shots have been given, with 65% of the planet’s population fully vaccinated. 

The pandemic insists on expanding our vocabulary.  The latest new term is: variant soup.  This term reflects the sudden proliferation of active variants, just A FEW of which are BA.2, BA.4, BA.5, B.1.1.7, BQ.1.1, BQ.1.1.10, XBB.1, XBB.3, BA.2.75, BA.4.6.3, P.3, and CH.1.1.

In China, Shanghai reported 10 new Covid cases over the last weekend of October.  As a result, on Oct. 31, the Shanghai Disney theme park without warning locked its gates and closed.  Not only were visitors denied entrance indefinitely, those already inside were required to show a negative Covid test in order to leave.  Similarly, visitors and employees at a sprawling Ikea store in Shanghai were trapped inside due to a spate of positive tests in the area. Also, in Zhengzhou, employees at an iPhone plant jumped fencing to escape quarantine, after a rash of positive tests there triggered the country’s usual harsh zero-Covid policies. With a population of 1.5 billion, China is now recording 1,000 new Covid cases per day; that would be considered minimal in other countries, but China persists in a strict no-Covid policy with millions of people under lockdown in 200 areas nationwide.

In the US, in the last 2 weeks, the new case rate was up 6%, hospitalizations rose 2%, and deaths decreased 12%.  We are averaging 40,000 new cases per day. Roughly 27,400 Americans are currently hospitalized with Covid, and an average of 318 people die each day. The national testing positivity rate is 8.9%.   

The above shows the predicted start of the pendulum swinging upward again, after a summer of falling numbers and an early fall at plateau.  Several western states (including Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah) saw new cases rise 50% in the last 2 weeks.  Over 20 states had hospitalizations rise 20% or more in that period.

In the United States, the variant gaining ground is BQ.1.1.   As of Nov. 3, it and near-twin BQ.1 together were causing 35% of our new cases; responsible for 17% of new cases as of Oct. 25, the doubling time is about 1 week. (BA.5 is currently responsible for 39% of our new cases but seems to be fading.)  Experts are looking to France for guidance, since BQ.1.1 has been dominating infections there for weeks; the good news is that France has seen no increase in case severity, with hospitalizations declining there. 

The new bivalent Covid vaccine protects against BQ.1.1, BA.5, and all the other known variants.  So—GET THE NEW BOOSTER.

Symptom rebound has gotten publicity in connection with taking Paxlovid, an approved Covid-19 treatment.  However, a recent study found that 44% of 2021 Covid patients (before Paxlovid was available) got better, then suffered a recurrence of symptoms one or more times, before final recovery within 4 weeks.  So, Covid rebounds happen, Paxlovid or not.

As for vaccinations in the US, 68.5% of the entire population is fully vaccinated.

President Biden got the new bivalent booster on Oct. 25.

A new study at Emory University provided lab evidence that the new bivalent booster bolsters our defense against the new and more immune evasive variants (including BQ.1.1).  Importantly, the study found that the antibody response is significantly better with the bivalent booster than with just one or two of the original boosters. 

In addition, clinical results released Nov. 4 by Pfizer and BioNTech showed the bivalent booster caused a 4-fold increase in levels of neutralizing antibody directed to BA.5 compared with the original monovalent booster.  One month after getting the new booster, clinical trial participants over 55 had antibody levels about four times as high as those who received the original booster. The study measured the levels of neutralizing antibodies against two sister subvariants of Omicron, BA.4 and BA.5.

Pfizer and BioNTech last week started a trial studying a COMBINED vaccine, protecting against Covid-19 AND the flu.  The single-dose vaccine candidate is a combination of Pfizer’s mRNA-based flu shot and the companies’ Omicron-tailored COVID-19 booster shot.

In Texas, the positivity test rate is 6.2%.  In the last 2 weeks, new cases decreased 1%, hospitalizations dropped 10%, and deaths fell 24%.  We are averaging 1,600 new daily cases, and an average of 9 Texans die each day.  As of now, there are 1,300 Texans hospitalized for Covid-19.  

Only 62% of all Texas residents are fully vaccinated. 

Recent Covid Articles I Recommend

New Booster Shot Targets Covid Variants More Effectively, Pfizer Says 11/4/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/04/us/politics/covid-booster-pfizer.html

New Covid Variants Are Circulating. Here’s What to Know. 11/4/22 https://www.nytimes.com/article/covid-variants-nightmare.html

Pfizer, BioNTech start COVID-flu combination vaccine study 11/3/22 https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/pfizer-biontech-begin-study-combination-vaccine-covid-flu-2022-11-03/

Covid-19 Symptoms Can Rebound Even if You Don’t Take Paxlovid 10/27/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/27/well/live/covid-symptoms-rebound-paxlovid.html

Over 2,000 Guardian readers told us about their long Covid fight. Here are their stories 10/25/22 https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/oct/25/long-covid-fight-guardian-readers

Among Seniors, a Declining Interest in Boosters 10/22/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/22/health/covid-vaccination-elderly.html

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

What is going on in Lakeway?

Art Display at Lake Travis Community Library

Through October, local artist Georgia Hagan’s highly detailed and realistic animal portraits will be displayed in the meeting room. 

Big Band Bash Visits Rough Hollow

The October dance party, held on Monday, Oct. 10 at 7-9PM, will relocate to the Rough Hollow Welcome Center (903 Highlands Boulevard). 

Preventing Identity Theft

On Tuesday, Oct. 11, 10:30AM at Lake Travis Community Library, Sgt. Jason Brown of the Lakeway Police Department will discuss how residents can protect themselves against the growing problem of identity theft.

Garage Sale at Lakeway Activity Center

The next community garage sale is Saturday, Oct. 15, from 8AM to noon.  (This is the LAST garage sale in 2022.)  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-$30 per booth; Non-Members-$35 per booth.  Call 512-261-1010 to reserve a booth, space permitting.

Shred Day!

Lake Travis Senior Services hosts Shred Day 2022, on Tuesday, October 18, 9-11AM, at Lakeway Aquatic Physical Therapy Parking Lot (900 RR 620S).  ATI Secure Docs will be onsite with trucks and locked bins to collect ONE BOX of your papers to take back to their secure warehouse for shredding. FREE, but donations are accepted to benefit the local non-profit LT Senior Services.   Call 512-766-3658 for more info.

Saturday Night Concert Series

Hill Country Galleria hosts concerts on the Central Plaza Lawn every Saturday night through Oct. 22, 7-9PM.  FREE, and dogs are welcome.  Bring a blanket to lounge on the lawn. Go here for more info: https://www.hillcountrygalleria.com/event/Saturday-Night-Concert-Series-w-Vallejo/2145563721/

Public Safety Day

This FREE annual event takes place on Saturday, Oct. 20, 11AM-2:30PM, at Lake Travis Elementary School (15303 Kollmeyer Drive).  Kids and adults can interact with first responders as well as their equipment.  Central Texas agencies will attend with 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 and more.

Student Art Contest for Veterans Day Ceremony

City of Lakeway is now accepting student art entries for the City of Lakeway’s 2022 Veterans Day Ceremony, set for Nov. 11, 2022.  Contest deadline is Oct. 21, 2022. The contest is open to students (K-12 grades) within Lake Travis ISD.  Artwork must be original in design. Digital art is preferred, but hand-painted or physically displayed artwork is also accepted. The winning entry will be featured in the City’s Veterans Day Ceremony promotional materials and the event program. Email info@lakeway-tx.gov or go here for more info– https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1663

Witches Ride is back

This year’s Witches Ride happens Saturday, October 22.  That night, residents will gather on bicycles, tricycles, unicycles, skates, scooters, wheelchairs, golf carts, wagons, and walking feet on Live Oak Golf Course’s Driving Range. Parks & Rec will provide decorations for the “flight” down Lakeway Drive. Decorate at 5:30PM, ride/roll/stroll at 6PM, then enjoy the carnival until 9PM.   FREE for everyone.  For more info, go here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1882/Witches-Ride

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.  Or, 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.  Call Lakeway PD at 512-261-2800 for more info.

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

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

Pedernales Electric Cooperative is changing street lighting.

PEC and partner Pike Electric Corporation will be doing inventory, inspections, and upgrades of roadway lighting in this area. The new LED lights being installed are designed to report their own outages, and they are Dark-Sky Friendly. The project should be completed by the end of 2022.  Call 888-554-4732 for more info.

Lakeway Transportation Bond–$17,500,000–on Nov. 8 Election Ballot.

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.” 

Next Council Meeting is on Monday, Oct. 17.

The meeting will start at the NEW EARLY time of 6:00PM.  The Agenda will be posted around Oct.12, here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/archive.aspx

Daring Mighty Things

On Sept. 28, astronauts at the International Space Station watched from orbit as Hurricane Ian slammed into Florida. Expedition 68 astronaut Bob Hines took the above photo.

Above is a satellite image of something else recently happening here on Earth—natural gas bubbling up to the surface after leaking into the Baltic Sea from one of the damaged Nord Stream pipelines.  This was likely caused by Russian sabotage.

Artemis 1’s moon mission now has a launch window of Nov. 12-27.  Hurricane Ian pushes Artemis 1 moon launch to mid-November 10/1/22 https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-1-moon-mission-november-launch?utm_campaign=58E4DE65-C57F-4CD3-9A5A-609994E2C5A9 Watch for updates here: https://www.nasa.gov/

NASA experimented with saving the planet from a killer asteroid.  It went well. Known as the DART project, an unmanned space craft traveled 7 million miles and then, moving at 14,000 mph, plowed into a small asteroid, with the goal of shifting its established orbit around a larger asteroid; the point was gathering data on deflecting a future body headed toward Earth.  Bam! NASA spacecraft crashes into asteroid in defense test  9/26/22  https://www.politico.com/news/2022/09/26/nasa-spacecraft-asteroid-crash-defense-00058942

With liberty and justice for all … except women.

Just another practical consequence of SCOTUS killing off Roe: For women who can find a way to get an abortion now, the cost is much higher–including travel expenses, lost work days, and childcare fees.  Since half those looking to get abortions are at or below the poverty level, some charities are stepping up to help cover the extra costs. What It Costs to Get an Abortion Now 9/28/22 https://news.yahoo.com/costs-abortion-now-184145760.html

Texas November Election

Voter registration ends Oct. 11.  Early voting is Oct. 24-Nov. 4.  Election Day is Nov. 8.

Last chance!  Candidate yard signs are available, FREE–including delivery within Lakeway.

As Dem Chair for precinct 375 in Lakeway, I’m part of Western Travis Dems. We have a PAC that got donations to buy Dem candidate signs in bulk, and we are distributing them all over the area.  Here are the top candidates (some signs are in VERY short supply): Beto O’Rourke (Governor); Mike Collier (Lt. Governor); Rochelle Garza (Attorney General); and Pam Baggett (HD19 Representative).

Email me at macwestie99@gmail.com  I just need to know your address and which signs you want.

Did you miss the Beto/Abbott debate on Sept. 30?  Beto won, of course, but the well-run event showcased the platforms and philosophies of both candidates very well.  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/

Candidates aside, Lake Travis ISD will ask voters to approve $703 million in bonds, during the November election.  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/

Back to me….  

I’m still transitioning to a good little vampire, working the night shift.

Scientists predict that NEXT MONTH, by Nov. 15, 2022, the Earth will host 8 billion people.  That is twice as many people on the planet just 50 years ago. No wonder everything is so screwed up….

Hope everyone is conserving water, especially here in the parched Hill Country.  The above image (the Sept. 26 entry on NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day site https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html ), illustrates how little water is present on Earth.  And, the amount of fresh/drinkable water is even smaller.  As the image was captioned by NASA: Although oceans of water cover about 70 percent of Earth’s surface, these oceans are shallow compared to the Earth’s radius. The illustration shows what would happen if all of the water on or near the surface of the Earth were bunched up into a ball. The radius of this ball would be only about 700 kilometers, less than half the radius of the Earth’s moon, but slightly larger than Saturn’s moon Rhea which, like many moons in our outer Solar System, is mostly water ice. The next smallest ball depicts all of Earth’s liquid fresh water, while the tiniest ball shows the volume of all of Earth’s fresh-water lakes and rivers.

With rut season starting up, our awesome bucks are front and center, not to mention sassy.  PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY.  Here are recent photos I took of our herd.

The Coronavirus   

Worldwide, 12.8 billion shots have been given, with 63.6% of the planet’s population fully vaccinated. 

In China, the government’s stubborn zero Covid attitude continues.  People are becoming accustomed to living with long-term lockdowns, mandatory testing, closures, health checkpoints, and seemingly arbitrary rules about everything.  Coping tactics include buying extra refrigerators and freezers to store food in case of sudden quarantine, as well as learning the tricks of the various testing sites and QR-coded institutions.

A recent study in the UK showed recent new cases at the end of September increasing by 30% over the previous week.  As of Oct. 7, 2% percent of the population of England had Covid, while infections continued to rise across all parts of the nation.  Experts say this indicates the usual fall surge is starting there.  In the past, surges in the UK presaged surges in the US.  GET THE NEW BIVALENT BOOSTER, to be protected this winter.

In the US, in the last 2 weeks, the new case rate was down 26%, hospitalizations dropped 11%, and deaths decreased 11%.  We are averaging 40,000 new cases per day. 27,000 Americans are currently hospitalized with Covid, and an average of 380 people die each day. The national testing positivity rate is 9%.   

A recent study found that 5% of global Covid-19 survivors developed long-lasting taste and smell problems.  Over 2 years into the pandemic, researchers found that an estimated 15 million people still have problems perceiving odors, while 12 million struggle with taste.  With the early Covid variants (Alpha, Beta, Delta), up to 50% of patients reported loss or dire changes in taste and/or smell.  But, with the current Omicron variants, only about 17% of patients have these symptoms.  While most people recover normal taste and smell, 7.5%had not done so two years after their Covid-19 infection cleared. The loss tends to persist in women, those with severe existing nasal congestion, and those with greater initial severity of the taste or smell loss.

Doctors now say hair loss is a frequent symptom, though noticed AFTER having Covid.  Over 20% of people hospitalized with Covid-19 report temporary hair loss. Even in milder cases, hair loss is frequently reported, along with better known symptoms including loss of smell, cognitive impairment and sexual dysfunction.  Hair loss occurs in males and females of all ages, but it is usually temporary, lasting up to 6-9 months.

Paxlovid, the highly successful treatment for Covid, is still not being used nearly enough.  Only 25% of those people eligible are taking Paxlovid, despite the fact that people NOT taking it are 4 times more likely to die.  Experts recommend that anyone over age 50 OR with conditions making them susceptible to severe disease take the treatment as soon as they test positive.  Widespread use of Paxlovid (or another treatment, which is monoclonal antibodies) could cut the Covid death rate from the current 400 per day to just 50 per day.  Reasons for Paxlovid’s lack of popularity include media reports of side effects (the worst being a temporary metallic taste in the mouth) and rebound cases (which are statistically rare, very minor in severity, and do not detract from the drug’s success in reducing hospitalizations and saving lives).  Crucially, the strongest predictor of fatal Covid cases is party affiliation, with general Covid skepticism still rife among Republicans; of the 20 states with the lowest use of Paxlovid now, 18 voted for Trump in 2020.

Experts are tracking several new variants that could take hold to cause the usual winter surge in Covid cases.

As for vaccinations in the US, 68% of the entire population is fully vaccinated (no change in the last 6 weeks).  Nearly 110 million booster shots have been given, including 11.5 million shots of the new bivalent booster.  Average shots administered per day rose to 633,000.   

The NEW BIVALENT BOOSTER is available at area pharmacies.  It protects against the hyper-contagious Omicron variants.  Anyone 12 and over is eligible.  In order to get maximum effect from the bivalent booster, people should wait 4-6 to six months after previous immunization OR getting Covid. 

Seriously, GET THE NEW BIVALENT BOOSTER.  The last time vaccines matched the circulating strain of Covid–early in the pandemic–they were 90 to 95 percent successful in preventing infections. That is what the new bivalent vaccine offers now.  Plus, it will provide greater protection against future variants and may even help to prevent long Covid.  Contact your local pharmacy or doctor’s office to schedule an appointment.

In Texas, the positivity test rate is 8%.  In the last 2 weeks, new cases decreased 45%, hospitalizations dropped 22%, and deaths fell 32%.  We are averaging 2,000 new daily cases, and an average of 15 Texans die each day.  As of now, there are 1,800 Texans hospitalized for Covid-19.  

Only 62% of all Texas residents are fully vaccinated.  

Recent Covid Articles I Recommend

The Power of Paxlovid 10/7/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/07/briefing/covid-treatment-paxlovid.html

Long Covid: What science has learned about the loss of smell and taste 10/1/22 https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/01/health/long-covid-smell-taste-loss-wellness

What to Do if You’re Experiencing Hair Loss After Covid 9/30/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/30/well/live/hair-loss-covid.html

Half of Adults Have Heard Little or Nothing About New Covid Boosters, Survey Finds 9/30/22  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/30/health/omicron-booster-covid.html

Rising Covid-19 cases in the UK may be a warning for the US 9/27/22 https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/27/health/uk-fall-wave-covid-us

What is going on in Lakeway?

Sock Hop at LAC

Lakeway Arts Committee presents this fun and FREE event on Monday, Sept. 26, 7-9PM, at Lakeway Activity Center.  It features The Highlights, plus musicians from People’s Choice. Renowned singers Barbara Calderaro, David Cummings and Howard T. Levine will provide vocals.  Get dolled up in your best 40s and 50s fashions, and bring snacks and beverages.

Aging Well Expo at LAC

On Tuesday, Sept. 27, 8:30AM-12:30PM, the Lakeway Activity Center hosts the annual Aging Well Expo, presented by Lake Travis Senior Services.  FREE event!  Enjoy complimentary breakfast and coffee at 8:30 am, plus lunch at noon.  Also–goody bags, door prizes, exhibits, expert speakers, and more.  Flu shots will be available.  Speakers will address topics including Medicare changes, scam prevention, Alzheimer’s, things you always wanted to ask a doctor about aging, and more.  Come for the whole morning, or stop by as your schedule allows. Go here for speakers’ schedule and registration: https://ltseniorservices.org/aging-well-expo

Lake Travis Town Hall

Lakeway Mayor Tom Kilgore, Texas Rep. Vikki Goodwin, LTISD Trustee Lauren White, and Bee Cave Mayor Kara King will discuss traffic, schools and more on Thursday, Sept. 29, 6PM-8PM, at the Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing).

Saturday Night Concert Series

Hill Country Galleria hosts concerts on the Central Plaza Lawn every Saturday night through Oct. 22, 7-9PM.  FREE, and dogs are welcome.  Bring a blanket to lounge on the lawn. Go here for more info: https://www.hillcountrygalleria.com/event/Saturday-Night-Concert-Series-w-Vallejo/2145563721/

Masterpiece Concert Series

On Oct. 2, 4-5PM, at Lakeway Activity Center, Lakeway Arts Committee presents a FREE concert of live classical music.  Go here for more info: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/2026/Fall-Concert-Series

National Night Out

National Night Out this year is on Tuesday, Oct. 4.  This annual event encourages citizen engagement with neighbors and with the police, to strengthen our community and heighten crime-prevention awareness.  It supports local safety programs and organizes neighborhoods to take a stand against crime.  BONUS—you get to know your neighbors and spend time with friends.

In addition, this year there will be a special Open House at the Lakeway Police Department, 4-6PM.

To register a block party, go here: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/FormCenter/Police-Department-12/National-Night-Out-SignUp-Form-87

Public Safety Day

This FREE annual event takes place on Saturday, Oct. 20, 11AM-2:30PM, at Lake Travis Elementary School (15303 Kollmeyer Drive).  Kids and adults can interact with first responders as well as their equipment.  Central Texas agencies will attend with 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 and more.

Mayor Kilgore on Facebook Live

Go here for the mayor’s Sept. 15 update: https://www.facebook.com/cityoflakeway

Lakeway Transportation Bond–$17,500,000–on Nov. 8 Election Ballot.

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 above image.  NOTE: The last 2 items are likely either/or.  If Stratus Development builds Main Street as recently agreed, the city will build out Birrell to meet it.  If Stratus screws the pooch (which seems likely), then the city will have to build Main Street.

Council met on Monday, Sept. 12, AND on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

Monday meeting RESULTS:

The meeting began with a tribute to Richard Drury and Pat Pavone, two Lakeway residents who recently passed away.  They were both WWII veterans, and video clips featuring these 2 residents were played from the Heritage Center’s video project.

ITEM 10: Amending the 2022 Budget to reflect end of year revenue and expenditures. UNANIMOUSLY PASSED.

ITEM 11: Adopting the $17MIL 2023 Budget as discussed at recent meetings. NO ACTION, as this is the first hearing, but items remain substantially as previously discussed.

ITEM 12: Adopting the 2022 Property Tax Rate as discussed at recent meetings. NO ACTION, as this is the first hearing, but the proposed tax rate remained 0.1290.

ITEM 13: Follow up from Aug. 15 meeting’s review of Stratus’ requested PUD amendment for The Oaks Phase 2 (where Main St. currently ends: 261 apartments, 28 townhomes and an 18-acre park, plus completion of Main Street and a bridge over an environmentally sensitive area).  NOTE: Problem areas include high density, lack of parking, and the Main Street completion date.  This was POSTPONED last month, with negotiations to continue on removing all the townhomes from the proposal (so the park is 22 acres) and having the city compensate Stratus for part of the road/bridge cost (Stratus demanded $1.6MIL).  If agreement is not reached, the City will need to build the portion of Main Street with a bridge running through this tract, via funds on the November ballot as a transportation bond. PASSED 5/2 (Kilgore and Brynteson against), with the amendments of: reducing the payment by the city to $1M, waiving the $400K parkland fee, and moving forward dedication of the parkland.  NOTE: Main Street/bridge construction is to begin within 6 months, AND construction must be completed within 2 years, or steep fines and loss of the $1M payment from the city could result. This is roughly a full year AFTER the other developer is due to complete its portion of Main Street.  Also, Councilmember Szimanski failed to recuse herself from this issue and voted in favor of Stratus, despite her close family relationship with a Stratus executive.

ADJOURNED at 9:03PM.

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/184228

At Tuesday’s meeting, all members were present.  There were no Citizens Participation comments.

On request, Council invited residents Charles Edwards and Clint Garza, plus Wendy Askey (Director of Human Resources) to join them in Executive Session, where it interviewed 4 candidates (including Interim City Manager, Joseph Molis) behind closed doors.  After the interviews in Tuesday’s all-day Executive Session, Council agreed to have Human Resources proceed with background checks on the finalists, who were not disclosed.

Council also met on Monday, Sept. 19.

RESULTS:

All members were present initially, with Major Kilgore and Councilmember Kumar attending via teleconference; Kilgore lost connection at 6:26pm (during discussion of Item 16). Kumar exited after Item 17.

 Consequential items include:  

ITEM 12: Financial Report as of 8/31/22.  REVENUE IS OVER projections by $1,295,626.  EXPENDITURES ARE UNDER projections by $534,428.  RESULT IS NET POSITIVE of $1,830,054.  

ITEM 13: Adopting the 2023 Budget as discussed at recent meetings. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.  FY 2023 revenue is projected at $17,959,712, with total General Fund expenditures at $17,824,660.  (Property taxes are the largest funding source, at 39%.  Lakeway Police Department gets the largest chunk of the budget–38%.)  Including Capital Reserve Fund and other expenditures, a total of $31MIL in spending is planned for the coming fiscal year.   

ITEM 14: Adopting the 2022 Property Tax Rate as discussed at recent meetings.  UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED the no new revenue rate of .1290, resulting in $40 tax savings for the average resident.   

ITEM 16: Special Use Permit for a short-term rental at 154 World of Tennis. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED (6:0). 

ITEM 17: Amendment to Tuscan Village 2 PUD (approved in 2014 for 270 housing units but not yet built) re: connecting Lohman’s Spur to Main Street AND removing the age 55 or older restriction originally in place for 231 housing units (21 cottages and 210 multifamily units) in the upcoming development.  APPROVED 4:2 (Trecker and Brynteson against) with the age restriction removed for all the cottages but only for half of the apartments. 

ITEM 18: Traffic Signal Cost Sharing Agreement for the planned signal on Lohmans at Wingreen Loop, to access the new Main Street.  The estimated cost of $400,000 is proposed to be paid as follows: City of Lakeway–$200,000; The Hills–$100,000; developer Legend Communities–$100,000. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED (5:0) 

ITEM 19: Discussion of the city’s no thru trucks ordinance.  City staff provided traffic accident statistics for Flint Rock Road and Serene Hills.  Possibility of restricting truck use/cut through traffic on various roads (especially Flint Rock, which is partially in Travis County’s jurisdiction) was discussed, along with doing speed and/or traffic studies. NO ACTION TAKEN. Staff was instructed to continue looking into a city-wide strategy on this issue.

ITEM 21: Citizen’s Participation.  NONE.  

ADJOURNED at 8:32PM.

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/184613

Daring Mighty Things

The interstellar Webb telescope sent home a gorgeous image of the Orion Nebula.

Webb also captured this stunning view of Neptune.

Artemis 1 is ready to go back to the moon.  Sort of….  To date, 2 scheduled launches have been scrubbed on the pad (due to an engine bleed and a hydrogen leak).  Then, those problems seemed solved so a launch was scheduled for Sept. 27.  However, the approach of Tropical Storm Ian nixed that, so we’re now looking at October.  In the meantime, the 32-story high rocket will likely be rolled off the pad and under shelter. Watch for updates here: https://www.nasa.gov/

With liberty and justice for all … except women.

VOTE BLUE.  Or, risk having Ted Cruz loitering in the waiting room for all your reproductive health appointments….

Gov. Newsom of California has erected billboards in several red states that have highly restricted or banned abortion, including this billboard in Texas.

Last week, a bill was introduced in the US Senate that would make abortion a federal crime, nationwide.  VOTE DEMOCRAT–because if the Republicans get control of Congress, this will just be the start of how they turn back the clock on human rights in America.  GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham introduces 15-week abortion ban in the Senate 9/13/22  https://www.npr.org/2022/09/13/1122700975/gop-sen-lindsey-graham-introduces-15-week-abortion-ban-in-the-senate

Along with many other issues, the loss of reproductive rights has changed the electorate, just in time for the 2022 midterms.  ‘I can’t stay silent’: Roe reversal powers new generation to sign up and vote 9/18/22  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/18/roe-v-wade-abortion-us-politics-november-midterms

Texas November Election

Mark your calendar to watch the Beto/Abbott debate on Sept. 30.  Gov. Greg Abbott, Beto O’Rourke agree to debate Sept. 30 in Edinburg 9/1/22  https://www.texastribune.org/2022/09/01/greg-abbott-beto-orourke-debate/

Candidate yard signs are now available, FREE–including delivery within Lakeway.

As Dem Chair for precinct 375 in Lakeway, I’m part of Western Travis Dems. We have a PAC that is taking donations to buy Dem candidate signs in bulk, and we are distributing them all over the area. Here are the candidates (some signs are in VERY short supply): Beto O’Rourke (Governor); Mike Collier (Lt. Governor); Rochelle Garza (Attorney General); Pam Baggett (HD19 Representative); Vikki Goodwin (HD 47 Representative); Janet Dudding (Comptroller); Susan Hays (Ag Commissioner); and Jay Kleberg (General Land Office Commissioner).

Request yard signs here: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSdk5o…/viewform

Or, you can email me at macwestie99@gmail.com  I just need to know your address and which signs you want.

If you can donate to the PAC, so that we can purchase more signs—GREAT! Go here to donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/western-travis-democrats-1

Voter registration ends Oct. 11.  Early voting is Oct. 24-Nov. 4.  Election Day is Nov. 8.

This in-depth account covers ALL the Texas races. Just add your address, and it fills in the local races you will see on your ballot. Here’s your ballot for the Nov. 8 Texas midterm elections https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2022/texas-ballot-2022-midterm-election-nov-8/

Candidates aside, Lake Travis ISD will ask voters to approve $703 million in bonds, during the November election.  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/

Back to me….  

GET YOUR NEW COVID SHOT. I was at the Lakeline Walmart a couple weeks ago and heard they just got the NEW Covid vaccine, formulated to protect against the latest variants.  It was the Pfizer version, and I was able to get a shot then and there.  Since my original Covid card was full (with the 2 initial shots and 2 boosters), they started a new card for me.  As for reaction, it was minimal–my arm was sore and I had a mild headache for half a day. I’m thrilled to get that done!

Recently, I increased my work schedule to full-time.  And, I’m currently on the night shift.  Adopting the vampire lifestyle is a process….

Rut season is near–when the bucks chase the does, and no one is looking both ways before crossing the street.  SLOW DOWN AND DRIVE CAREFULLY.  Roadside in Old Lakeway, the current “Deer live here, too” banners will soon be replaced with rut banners featuring impressive bucks, including a new image (one of my photos) that Wildlife Committee recently selected in order to add variety.

Here are recent photos I took of our herd.

The Coronavirus   

Worldwide, 12.7 billion shots have been given, with 63.4% of the planet’s population fully vaccinated. 

In China last week, protests against the government’s pandemic restrictions followed a horrific bus crash.  The bus was carrying people to mandated Covid quarantine, and 27 died in the accident.  Massive online protests railed against China’s continuing zero Covid tolerance, with its resulting harsh treatment of citizens and nationwide economic losses.

In the US, in the last 2 weeks, the new case rate was down 18%, hospitalizations dropped 14%, and deaths increased 12%.  We are averaging 54,000 new cases per day. 30,000 Americans are currently hospitalized with Covid, and an average of 430 people die each day. The national testing positivity rate is 11%.  

Of late, new cases, hospitalizations and the test positive rate all dropped significantly.  Deaths from Covid remain high, roughly twice the death rate seen in a bad flu season.

One in 3 women and one in 5 men are likely to develop long Covid, per a study done in Europe.  Data showed that 10%-20% of Covid patients ended up with long-term symptoms including severe fatigue, breathlessness and cognitive dysfunction.   The study found that at least 17 million Europeans developed long Covid during the first 2 years of the pandemic.

Thirteen Covid variants were discovered in rapid succession in 2020, identified with Greek letters.  (Remember Delta?)  But the last one, Omicron, arrived on the scene nearly a year ago, last November.  Since then, Omicron has undergone several changes of its own, but no new variants have been found. Experts think the future of Covid-19 will be based on Omicron. Omicron’s BA.5 causes the vast majority of current Covid cases, but its latest spawn, BA.2.75.2, seems to be even better at evading immunities.

As for vaccinations in the US, 68% of the entire population is fully vaccinated (no change in the last 4 weeks).  Nearly 110 million booster shots have been given.  Average shots administered per day rose to 484,000.  

In the last 2 weeks, millions of doses of boosters targeting the hyper-contagious Omicron variant became available at pharmacies, nursing homes and clinics across the country.  These new shots from Pfizer and Moderna are called bivalent vaccines, protecting against the hyper-contagious Omicron variants.  Very likely, this is the start of an annual Covid inoculation routine, just like with flu shots, with the goal of avoiding fall and winter infection surges. Anyone 12 and over is eligible.  If it has been at least 2 months since your last booster shot, check your local pharmacy, health clinic and doctor’s office to get a free bivalent booster.

According to doctors and immunologists, in order to get maximum effect from the bivalent booster, people should wait 4-6 to six months after immunization OR getting Covid.

Seriously, GET THE NEW BIVALENT BOOSTER.  The last time vaccines matched the circulating strain of Covid, early in the pandemic, they were 90 to 95 percent successful in preventing infections. That is what the new vaccine offers now.  Plus, it will provide greater protection against future variants and may even help to prevent long Covid.  Contact your local pharmacy or doctor’s office to schedule an appointment.

Boosters aside, only 6% of kids under five have had their first shots, according to the CDC.  That is the lowest rate by far of any age demographic.

In Texas, the positivity test rate is 14%.  In the last 2 weeks, new cases decreased 41%, hospitalizations dropped 20%, and deaths ROSE 16%.  We are averaging 3,500 new daily cases, and an average of 23 Texans die each day.  As of now, there are 2,200 Texans hospitalized for Covid-19. 

Only 62% of all Texas residents are fully vaccinated.

Recent Covid Articles I Recommend

Why Omicron Might Stick Around 9/22/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/22/science/omicron-covid-variant.html

Covid vaccination rates in US children under five lag despite effectiveness 9/22/22 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/22/covid-child-vaccination-rates-us-low

‘Very Harmful’ Lack of Data Blunts U.S. Response to Outbreaks 9/21/22  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/20/us/politics/covid-data-outbreaks.html

How do I know if my symptoms are from Covid or the flu? 9/20/22 https://www.nytimes.com/article/covid-flu-symptoms.html

How long should I wait to get a bivalent booster if I recently had a shot or contracted Covid? 9/20/22 https://www.nytimes.com/article/bivalent-booster-covid.html

New Boosters Test Covid-Weary Nation. Shots Are Here. Do Americans Care? 9/18/22 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/18/us/covid-vaccine.html

There’s Terrific News About the New Covid Boosters, but Few Are Hearing It 9/15/22  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/15/opinion/covid-booster-shot.html

WHO: 17 million in Europe experienced long COVID-19  9/13/22 https://apnews.com/article/health-covid-pandemics-united-nations-tel-aviv-ae0256b4bd88670f91672ead7c3be608