Holiday Safety Tips
by Debby Thompson, WBNA President & WB Neighborhood Watch Coordinator
With the bustle of the holidays just around the corner, make sure you’re taking every precaution possible to keep your home and family safe and secure. We usually see an increase in opportunistic crime this time of year; please remain vigilant.
Keep your blinds and drapes closed when away, even if only for a short period of time.
Keep your house well lit at night (backyard included). A motion sensor activated light is an inexpensive deterrent.
Holiday Events!
Holiday Home Decorating Contest • Judging is UNDERWAY!
Break out the tinsel and holly! Deck the halls, yard, trees, cars, dogs, cats… Let’s show some good ole WB spirit! The WBNA is sponsoring the Holiday Home Decorating Contest again this year! Judging will begin on Sunday, December 11. For more details, please visit our website at wbna.us. If you’d like to help judge or nominate a home, email lights@wbna.us. Be sure and watch for the “Winners” as we post signs in their yards and feature the homes on Facebook and wbna.us! Categories include: Most Original, Most Traditional, Most Elaborate, Best Use of Lights, Most Energy Efficient, Visible from Space and Most Patriotic.
Polar Express Pajamarama • Friday, December 16 • 6:00 & 7:00pm • WB Library
All aboard, for WBCL’s yearly Polar Express Pajamarama! Enjoy holiday crafts, hot cocoa and cookies, a bedtime reading of The Polar Express and a special visit from Santa Friday, December 16 at 6:00pm & 7:00pm! No registration required. See wblibrary.org for details.
Night Before Christmas Celebration • Saturday, December 24 • 5:30pm • WB Rec. Ctr.
Wells Branch Community Church and Abundant Life Church will be coming together to host a Christmas Eve service at the Wells Branch Rec. Center appropriately titled “Night Before Christmas”. The service begins at 5:30pm and all are invited. Come join in the celebration of the true meaning of Christmas as neighbors sing carols and creatively remember the Christmas story. You won’t want to miss what is in store this Christmas Eve so make sure to bring the whole family out to celebrate the holiday season!”
See websites listed below for all Travis & Williamson County Polling Locations.
Travis County Polling Locations in Wells Branch:
• WB Rec. Center • 3000 Shoreline Drive
• WB Community Center • 2106 Klattenhoff Drive
• Northwest Elementary School • 14014 Thermal Drive
• National American University • 13801 Burnet Road
• RRISD Performing Arts Center • 5800 McNeil Road (both Travis & Wilco)
Closest Williamson County Polling Location
• RRISD Performing Arts Center • 5800 McNeil Road (both Travis & Wilco)
Local elections have a greater impact on our everyday lives than national or state elections. Many of these are non-partisan. Scroll to the end of your ballot to vote for RRISD Trustees, Wells Branch MUD Directors, and Wells Branch Community Library Trustees.
Remember, if you’re running late, don’t let the lines discourage you. As long as you’re in line by 7pm, they must let you vote.
Travis County Election Sites:
http://traviscountyclerk.org/eclerk/Content.do?code=E.4
Williamson County Election Sites:
http://wilco.org/CountyDepartments/Elections/tabid/450/language/en-US/Default.aspx
Fall Events in Wells Branch
(wblibrary.org for more info)
Family Fun Day will be an event for all Joe Lee Johnson families, faculty, and staff from 9am-1pm on Saturday, November 12 at the elementary school campus.
- 9-10:30: “Blaze the Trail” activities led by Coach Gonzalez
- 10:30-12: Complete fun challenges, win cool prizes and visit booths from organizations around our community.
- 12-1: Family picnic, fitness demos, chances for parents to win big prizes (Soccer and Swim Season Registrations! Urban Air Passes!)
- New Fall 2016 Trailblazer Gear samples will be available to view and order.
What to Wear/Bring:
- Wear comfortable athletic clothes and shoes
- Bring a picnic to enjoy together with your family and chairs or a blanket if you’d like
- A few dollars for a snack (if you’d like to purchase something, we will take cash only)
- Check/credit card to order Trailblazer Gear
- Consider walking or biking to the to the event. We may use some of the parking space for activities.
We need volunteers to make this event happen! Sign up to volunteer. For more information please email: president@jljpta.org
Water for Wildlife: Ensuring Texas’ Rivers Don’t Run Dry with Tom Spencer
Program Director of the Texas Living Waters Project, Tom Spencer will join us for an enlightening discussion of water conservation and wildlife protection.
Dedication Paver – For $50 a brick, you can have a custom paver with your special message placed in the WB paver garden in KF Park (next to the outdoor courts and pavilion). Deadline for submission is November 11. See wellsbranchmud.com for details. An on-site dedication ceremony for new pavers will take place Saturday, November 19 at 3pm prior to the evening’s potluck. We hope to see you there!
Wells Branch youth are invited to test their basketball skills and maybe win a turkey to take home for Thanksgiving plus a $50 HEB gift card. The contest starts at 6pm in the WB MUD Rec. Ctr. Participants accumulate points by competing in a variety of basketball activities (Free Throw, H.O.R.S.E., 3pt Around the World, and possibly Knockout). Youth will be split into three groups: 8-10, 11-13, and 14-17. Grand-prize winners from each age group will receive a turkey and gift card. Registration is free and will begin early November in the Rec. Ctr.