May Ukraine Have Peaceful Skies Again.
Here is what is happening in Lakeway.
VOTER REGISTRATION at the library
On Tuesday, Oct. 1 from 4:30-5:30, AND on Wednesday, Oct. 2 from 10AM-noon, at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing), a trained Travis County voter registrar will share information and register voters.
National Night Out—Police Station Open House
Drop by the Lakeway Police Department (1941 Lohmans Crossing Rd.) on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 4-7PM for an Open House. Meet officers in the various police department divisions, receive crime prevention material, and take a tour of the facility. On the tour, you can check out the shooting simulator and test yourself while wearing the drunk goggles. Bring the kids for stickers, coloring books and wristbands.
The Lakeway Players–The Kitchen Witches
The Lakeway Players present the award-winning comedy, The Kitchen Witches, Oct. 3-5, at Lakeway Activity Center. Doors open at 6:30PM; show starts at 7:30PM. Bring your own food and alcoholic beverages. Tickets are $34. Go here for info and to buy tickets: https://www.thelakewayplayers.com/
Lakeway Painters Reception
On Saturday, Oct. 5 from 1:30-3PM, The Lakeway Painters will host a reception at Lake Travis Community Library (1938 Lohmans Crossing). Stop by to view the group’s art (a wide variety, from 30 artists) on display in the conference room and meet the artists.
Lake Travis Democrats Club
–SPECIAL Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 6:30PM at Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) will be a WATCH PARTY for the Colin Allred/Ted Cruz DEBATE, plus Representative Vikki Goodwin and short presentations by other Texas candidates stopping by.
–Go here to watch the Sept. 17 presentation from Joshua Blank, Research Director of the Texas Politics Project and polling expert: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EK7uhNpYVGuWUB52zWIMwnXLgWcg-cHb/view
–Check https://www.laketravisdemocrats.com/ for club activities each month.
Hazardous Waste Drop Off
On Wed., Oct. 16, 9:30AM-12:30PM, there is a FREE drop off of hazardous materials at Lake Travis Regional Reuse and Recycling Center (3207 Neidhardt Drive).This service is available toresidents of Lakeway, Bee Cave and The Hills, plus customers of WCID 17, Hurst Creek MUD and Lakeway MUD. Bring photo ID or water bill as proof of eligibility. To be accepted, items MUST be in their original labeled containers (for proper disposal). For paint, 30 gallon containers (full or not) is the maximum per household. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Items NOT accepted include: light bulbs, medical waste such as needles and prescriptions drugs, ammunition, tires, electronics and more. (Full list of accepted and prohibited items is at the link below.) Use the following link (or call Lakeway Solid Waste at (512)314-7514 or email solidwasteclerk@lakeway-tx.gov for assistance) to make a reservation: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ACA728A1F4C07-51569315-household#/
Witches Ride
Time to fly! On Sat., Oct. 19, 5:30-9PM, bring bicycles, tricycles, unicycles, skates, scooters, wheelchairs, golf carts, wagons, or simply walking shoes and meet up at the Live Oak Golf Course’s Driving Range for a magical “flight” down Lakeway Drive. Spectators along the route will also have fun, catching candy treats. FREE EVENT. The PARADE starts at 6PM, followed by a CARNIVAL at Lakeway Activity Center, with food and beverage vendors, games, a dunk tank, euro-bungee, photo booth, a movie, and more. Info here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/1882/Witches-Ride
Oktoberfest at the Galleria
On Sat., Oct. 19, 2-6PM, head over to the Hill Country Galleria’s Central Plaza Lawn for Oktoberfest fun, including live music, yard games, face painting, balloon art and contests, with festive foods and imported beers/local lagers on offer. Bring blankets and chairs to stay awhile. FREE admission. Go here for info: https://www.hillcountrygalleria.com/event/oktoberfest-at-hill-country-galleria/2145584735
Nosferatu “A Symphony of Horror”
On Sat., Oct. 26 at 7PM, enjoy a classic horror film at Lakeway Activity Center. This vintage thriller will be accompanied by the Lake Travis High School Chamber Orchestra. Tickets are $7. Dress like a vampire for the contest! Concessions available. Go here for tickets (click on Events tab): https://secure.rec1.com/TX/lakeway-tx/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTI5ODE3MTQ=
Historical Bus Tours through Lakeway
These tours always fill up! Sign up early for a Lakeway historical bus tour, happening on Friday, Oct. 25, at 9:15AM, 11:15AM, and 1:15PM. FREE tours start at Lakeway City Hall, so you can also take a look inside the historic Liebelt Cabin. Go here for info and to register: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/1171/Heritage-Trail
Lake Travis Public Safety Day
On Sat., Oct. 26, from 11AM-2:30PM, head over to Lake Travis Elementary School (just off 620, at 15303 Kollmeyer Drive) for the 13th Annual Lake Travis Public Safety Day. FREE EVENT! This fun and educational event allows community members to interact with first responders and learn about what they do and the tools and resources they use to keep us all safe. Agencies attend from across Central Texas, bringing their helicopters, police cars, motorcycles, ambulances, fire trucks, rescue boats, ATVs, K-9’s, horses, wildland fire mitigation equipment, incident command centers, SWAT apparatus, casualty tents, buses and more. Go here for info: https://www.lakeway-tx.gov/529/Public-Safety-Day
Teen Art Contest—Entry Deadline is Nov. 1.
Lake Travis Community Library is sponsoring an art contest for students in grades 6 through 12. Just create an original piece of art inspired by your personal reading experience. Friends of the Library will provide cash prizes, and a selection of entries will be displayed in the library’s meeting room in December. Entry deadline is Nov 1. Go here for the rules and entry form: https://laketravislibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-Teen-Art-Contest-Brochure.pdf
Texas Arbor Day Tree Planting Event
Sign up now to participate on Sat., Nov. 2, at 10AM in Lakeway’s second time being part of Tree City USA. Residents will work with Parks and Rec Dept. to plant trees in Lakeway. Location for planting will be announced soon! Everyone gets a free lunch, but the first 30 folks to sign up will also get a tree to take home and plant. Get more info and sign up here: https://lakeway-tx.gov/2079/Texas-Arbor-Day
Plane Crash at Lakeway Airpark
On Sept. 25, around 6:30PM, a single-engine plane landed at Lakeway Airpark, immediately going out of control and veering off the runway. (Image credit: Heikki Mustonen/KVUE .) The plane entered a neighboring yard on Triton Court and crashed into a tree, coming to a halt just shy of the home itself. Of the 2 occupants in the plane, 1 was seriously injured. The FAA is investigating. This accident follows 2 other recent crashes at the Airpark, 1 of which was fatal. In 2019, a student pilot trying to land at the Airpark instead crashed on Lakeway Boulevard near Serene Hills Elementary School, killing 1 person in the plane. In 2023, a plane landed on the golf course near the Airpark, plowing through trees and a fence before stopping inside an equipment facility. Further back, in 2004, a plane crashed on takeoff, killing 6 people and striking a residence. FAA, NTSB investigating after small plane crashes in Lakeway 9/25/24 https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/plane-crash-backyard-lakeway-airpark-near-austin-texas/269-dca1c75f-6cca-4204-a4c3-4b0530754bc0
Lakeway Photo Festival
The Lakeway Photo Festival Awards Reception was held on Sept. 22, with the 2024 winners announced (see image). Go here to view the winning photos in each category: https://lakeway-tx.gov/1843/34507/Lakeway-Photo-Festival
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/62/Public-Works
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
Lake Travis Community Library’s Capital Campaign–New WEST LOCATION
Our library is expanding, having purchased property at 21209 State HWY. 71. (Image credit: Ascension Architecture.) The building there (formerly Pizzeria Casa Nostra) is under renovation. In order to reach a fundraising goal of $1M, several naming opportunities are available. Honor a loved one while supporting literacy in our community, starting at $2,000 (for a bookstack) and running all the way up to $150,000 (for an entire area). Of course, donations in ANY amount are welcomed. Go here for complete info and to donate: https://laketravislibrary.org/fundraising/
Council met Sept. 16, Adopting Budget and Tax Rate.
RESULTS–All 7 members attended the meeting, with 6 on the dais and Council Member Forton attending remotely early on (but arriving in person at 8:17PM).
ITEM 21: Citizens Participation for Items NOT on the Agenda. 3 people spoke.
ITEM 22: Financial Report.
–Revenues through August were $660K lower than projected (largely due to less fees coming in), while Expenditures were $$1.54MIL under projections (due to staff vacancies), combining to make things $879K to the good (though that is expected to be only $330K by the end of this fiscal year).
ITEM 23: Authorizing issuance and selling of the $22MIL Parks Bond approved in May.
–After a presentation by the bond advisor indicating a VERY good result on the bond market (with the city getting a favorable interest cost rate of 3.971% over 30 years, with the first 2 years interest only, from J.P. Morgan), the bond issuance was UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
ITEM 24: Special Use Permit for 99 years, allowing a Cellular Tower to be built and operated by KGI Wireless on city land at 3303 Serene Hills Drive, in order to improve cell coverage in Rough Hollow.
–After over 20 public comments (mostly against the item) and lengthy discussion on the dais (with 2 failed motions), Council UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED postponing the matter until the October meeting, with staff directed to work with the applicant and engineering firms under contract to gather information, look for options, and perform due diligence.
If I needed proof that Matt Sherman was an excellent addition to Council, I got it at this meeting. His views on the budget and tax rate were on point. But, it was on the cell tower item that he really steered things in the right direction. Despite public comment to the contrary, it was clear from discussion on the dais that Council was ready to vote overwhelmingly in favor of the cell tower as proposed. First, Matt pointed out a glaring error in the applicant’s presentation. Turns out, the image purporting to show what the tower would look like on-site actually showed a 100 foot tall tower, while the proposed tower would be 230 feet tall. BIG difference—literally. The applicant mumbled something about an oversight, but my question is—why didn’t city staff notice this error? It made me wonder what else hadn’t been adequately investigated, and Matt was able to argue effectively for a 1 month delay, with staff working with an expert on things like whether the proposed tower would really improve coverage as claimed and if other sites are available.
ITEM 25: Update on the Buy Local Campaign, by the Economic Development Committee.
–POSTPONED due to illness.
ITEM 26: Request by Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce for $6,500 from Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund for the upcoming Taste event.
–UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
ITEM 29: Adopting the Annual Budget for Fiscal year 2024-2025.
—APPROVED 6/1 (Brynteson) FY 2025 Budget of $20,592,454 (up by $658,195 from the previous year and funding 2 new full-time employees, 2.2% merit raises, 2.8% cost of living increases, along with everything else necessary to run the city).
ITEM 30: Adopting the Tax Rate for 2024.
—APPROVED 5/2 (Sherman and Brynteson) a 2024 tax rate of .1598 per $100 value (6.65% higher than the previous tax rate of .1440 and increasing the average homeowner’s tax bill by $200 for the year).
ITEM 31: Discussion on increasing Lakeway’s Over Age 65 Property Tax Homestead Exemption. (The exemption is now $25,000 and covers 2,961 homes)
—UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED (after noting the chart that staff previously provided had erroneous data), increasing the Over Age 65 Property Tax Homestead Exemption to $50,000 (effective NEXT year/tax year 2025). See CORRECTED chart.
ITEMS 32, 33, 34, A-2: Executive Sessions for West Austin Business Park Legal Intervention, Police Policies, Employee Matters/City Manager, and Sailfish Park.
–The ONLY action taken on the 4 items was UNANIMOUS APPROVAL of 2 police policies (medical and license plate readers).
ADJOURNED at 12:42AM.
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/315158
Daring Mighty Things
I was coming home after the LT Dems meeting on Sept. 17 and got the treat of seeing a gorgeous full moon hanging over Lakeway. However, the above image is NOT mine; it was taken on the Indiana University campus (credit: Josh Dinner.) This article has stunning moon shots from all over the world. Harvest Moon Supermoon lunar eclipse delights skywatchers worldwide 9/18/24 https://www.space.com/harvest-moon-supermoon-lunar-eclipse-september-photos
On Mars, rover Perseverance recently sent home a photo of a rock that doesn’t look like the other Martian rocks; it is striped, zebra-style. Scientists are in a tizzy about what this rock, found in Jericho Crater, could reveal about Mars. Possibly volcanic in origin, it measures about 8” across and has been dubbed ‘Freya Castle.’ Weird striped rock ‘unlike any seen on Mars’ found by Perseverance rover. Here’s why NASA’s excited 9/26/24 https://www.space.com/mars-perseverance-rover-weird-stripy-rock
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is fining SpaceX more than $630,000 for failing to comply with regulations on two launches in 2023. (The above images show a Falcon 9 launch in 2023, plus SissySpaceX Himself; credits: SpaceX and Facebook.) Per the FAA: “Safety drives everything we do at the FAA, including a legal responsibility for the safety oversight of companies with commercial space transportation licenses. Failure of a company to comply with the safety requirements will result in consequences.” Elon Musk, of course, is miffed and making threats: “SpaceX will be filing suit against the FAA for regulatory overreach.” By Sept. 26, Musk’s hysteria over being thwarted had him demanding the FAA chief resign. FAA plans to fine SpaceX $630,000 for alleged launch violations 9/17/24 https://www.space.com/faa-fining-spacex-launches-2023
Above is the Baboon Nebula. Just 500 light-years from Earth, the shape is created by dust and gas caused by stars forming nearby. (Image credit: Alpha Zhang and Ting Yu.) https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap240924.html
On Sept. 19, a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honored women whose work and achievements helped NASA win the space race. Honorees included NASA’s Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson and Dr. Christine Darden, along with all the other women who served as computers, mathematicians, and engineers. (Image credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky.) Familiarly known as “Hidden Figures,” the women’s role was first brought to the fore by Margot Lee Shetterly’s 2016 book Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win the Space Race; it was made into a film starring Taraji Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe. NASA’s Hidden Figures Honored with Congressional Gold Medals 9/19/24 https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/langley/nasas-hidden-figures-honored-with-congressional-gold-medals/
With liberty and justice for all … except women.
City of Austin, in its 2024-2025 budget, approved $400,000 in its reproductive health fund, to help city residents who have to travel out-of-state pay for airfare, gas, hotel stays, child care, food and companion travel. Other Texas cities, including San Antonio, have done much the same. Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the city, claiming the budget item awards public funds to private individuals, in violation of the Texas Constitution. Paxton sues Austin over abortion travel fund 9/27/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/27/paxton-austin-abortion-travel/
Since Texas passed an abortion ban in 2022, over 35,000 women have fled the state for abortion care, many heading for neighboring Colorado and New Mexico. Unlike leaders in a lot of Texas border towns, the Mayor and Council of Amarillo (population 202,000) rejected an abortion travel ban prohibiting the use of streets and highways in Amarillo to obtain an abortion in a state where the procedure is legal. The mayor is Cole Stanley, a conservative who ran on faith, family and freedom. He was fine with defining Amarillo as a “sanctuary city” for the unborn but could not stomach the travel provisions. For him, the travel ban is jurisdictional overreach, the opposite of the typical conservative goal of small government. After months of debate, the Mayor and Council approved ballot language giving the voters final say on an abortion travel ban in the upcoming election. Why a conservative Texas mayor defied his peers and put the brakes on an abortion “travel ban” 9/26/24 https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/26/amarillo-texas-abortion-travel-ban-mayor/
Two Georgia women died back in 2022, as a result of the Dobbs decision, when Trump’s SCOTUS Justices ended 50 years of women’s reproductive rights. In reality, of course, FAR MORE than 2 women have died because Trump and Dobbs, in Georgia and in the many other red states that immediately banned abortion. But, medical case review moves slowly, due to HIPAA and other considerations; 2 years is pretty much the minimum time it takes for these cases to go public. The gut-wrenching tragedies will continue to be disclosed. But, for now, we know that Amber Thurman and Candi Miller died far too young, for no medically sound reason, and in agony. And their families will never recover.
— https://www.propublica.org/article/georgia-abortion-ban-amber-thurman-death
— https://www.propublica.org/article/candi-miller-abortion-ban-death-georgia
Kamala Harris: “I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe, and get us to the point where 51 votes would be what we need to actually put back in law the protections for reproductive freedom and for the ability of every person and every woman to make decisions about their own body and not have their government tell them what to do.” No other top leader has said that. It shows how strongly Harris feels about a woman’s right to reproductive freedom and how far she will go to guarantee restoration of the protection women had for 50 years, until Trump’s SCOTUS overturned Roe in 2022. VOTE BLUE! Harris backs ending filibuster for abortion rights legislation 9/24/24 https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/24/kamala-harris-filibuster-abortion-rights-00180699
Donald Trump: “I am your protector. I want to be your protector. As president, I have to be your protector. … I will end your national nightmare. … making women happy, healthy, confident, and free. You will no longer be thinking about abortion.” Wow, Trump must serve some super-strong Koolaid at his rallies, to get anyone to buy that insanity. Trump Tells Women ‘I Am Your Protector,’ Talks Abortion at Pennsylvania Rally 9/24/24 https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-pennsylvania-rally-abortion-women-2024-election-1958675
Don’t believe Trump or any other Republican who claims they support IVF. Republican politicians have proven twice now that is a lie. On Sept. 17, the US Senate voted on a bill to protect access to in vitro fertilization and require public and private insurance coverage of IVF and other fertility treatments. Republicans voted it down. Only 2 Republicans voted for the IVF bill, Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine). This was the second time the GOP killed the IVF bill; they also voted it down in June. Then, JD Vance voted against it. This time, Vance didn’t even bother to show up to vote, being so busy on the campaign trail, “creating stories” (his term for spreading dangerous, racist lies). The bill was proposed by Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth (Illinois), who used IVF to have her 2 daughters after being seriously injured while serving in Iraq. JD Vance Skips IVF Vote as Republicans Block Bill 9/17/24 https://www.newsweek.com/jd-vance-skips-ivf-vote-bill-gets-blocked-1955409
Justice By Design, a new podcast from Kimberly Atkins Stohr’s, covered IVF on Sept, 20. She discussed several related issues with an IVF specialist, including personhood laws, legal challenges post-Dobbs, the intersection of religion and medicine, and the need for legal protections for IVF practices. How Trump Will Kill IVF with Dr Eve Feinberg 9/20/24 https://www.politicon.com/podcasts/how-trump-will-kill-ivf-with-dr-eve-feinberg/
The abortion issue really has influenced politics nationwide. Here is how Bernie Moreno, a 57-year old Ohio man running as a Republican for US Senate, sees things: “Sadly, by the way, there’s a lot of suburban women that are like, ‘Listen, abortion is it. If I can’t have an abortion in this country whenever I want, I will vote for anybody else.’ … OK. It’s a little crazy by the way, but — especially for women that are like past 50 — I’m thinking to myself, ‘I don’t think that’s an issue for you.’” (Mental note—Check to see if it is too late to move to Ohio, just to vote AGAINST that clown.) Ohio GOP Senate candidate says ‘a lot of suburban women’ are ‘single-issue voters’ on abortion 9/24/24 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/ohio-gop-senate-candidate-says-lot-suburban-women-are-single-issue-vot-rcna172585
Back to me….
The Grinch came to Lakeway early this election year. On Monday, Sept. 23, good Democrats woke to bare yards, our political signs stolen by that nasty old Grinch wearing a greasy MAGA hat. Then, it happened AGAIN the next night. Thefts were concentrated around lower Lakeway Boulevard, extending throughout the Airpark area. Another area hit hard was Ladera and Falconhead from 620 to 71. Mostly, the MAGA Grinch was too much of a coward to steal from yards on the main streets. But he scurried down the side streets, stealing from his neighbors, because he was utterly terrified by a different political view, legally stated on private property.
Well, we got more signs. And, we filed police reports. Camera footage was sent to Lakeway PD and Bee Cave PD. Views make it clear this was NOT kids being kids. It was adult males, in 2 different vehicles.
Even if The MAGA Grinch isn’t caught by police, prosecuted, fined and put in jail, he is stuck with the worst punishment of all. He will NEVER redeem himself like the holiday story Grinch did. The Maga Grinch’s heart–and mind—will forever remain 3 sizes too small.
Anyone needing a Harris/Walz or Colin Allred sign, email macwestie99@gmail.com
Moo Deng is the latest, cutest, wildest internet sensation. A baby pygmy hippo, she was born in late July at a zoo in Chonburi, Thailand. Now teething, she constantly tries to gnaw just about everything. Her name was chosen by a poll of avid fans and means “bouncy pig.” The 7th offspring of her parents, drama-girl Moo likes belly rubs, water play and spending quiet time with her enormous hippo mommy, Jona. Their species is endangered, with less than 2,500 adults alive, mostly in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast. Moo’s overwhelming popularity has caused the zoo to limit visitor time in her area to 5 minutes; an upcoming live stream should curb the in-person crowds. Brands world-wide (bakeries, cosmetics, sports teams and more) are featuring Moo Deng products, and the internet is rife with adorable memes. (Image credits: Associated Press.) Moo Deng gets her own 24/7 live stream because the internet can’t stop obsessing over the viral pygmy hippo 9/25 24 https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/southeast-asia/moo-deng-hippo-live-stream-baby-pygmy-viral-memes-b2618675.html
Here in Lakeway, the deer are increasingly reclusive these days. But, here are a few recent photos I managed to get.
Coronavirus Update
Covid is still around, but the summer surge has passed. All 4 indicators (test positivity, ER visits, hospitalizations and deaths) were falling as of Sept. 21. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
As of Sept. 21, wastewater viral testing still shows HIGH levels, which is better than the VERY HIGH levels for the last month. https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/index.html
This fall’s edition of the Covid-19 vaccine is available in local pharmacies. Last week, I was able to make an appointment for early October, to get both a new Covid-19 vaccination AND a flu shot and be protected this winter, at the Lakeway HEB Pharmacy. Start here: https://www.heb.com/pharmacy/vaccinations
FREE Covid Test Kits are available again. The federal government will ship you 4 test kits via USPS, for no charge. Go here and complete your name and mailing address: https://special.usps.com/testkits