2025 WBNA Community Calendar Photo Contest:  “Wildlife of Wells Branch”

The annual WBNA Community Calendar Photo Contest has begun! Our 2024 calendar was hugely popular and each and every image was amazing.

The 2025 theme is “Wildlife of Wells Branch”, this includes critters, birds, flora, fauna—anything wild—including folks having a “wild” time in the neighborhood. Once again the contest will take place both live in the WB MUD Recreation Center main lobby as well as online via our Facebook gallery for viewing and voting. The WB MUD Rec Center will host the contest gallery and “live” votes will be collected in a drop box. You may vote often, but only once for a single image.   Voting will take place online via the WBNA Facebook page at bit.ly/WBNA2025CalendarContestAlbum

As a reminder, anyone who lives in Wells Branch can submit up to six photos. The image format MUST be in 8×10 landscape for the calendar. The only real “rules” are that images must be taken within Wells Branch by Wells Branch residents. Please visit bit.ly/WBNACalendarContest for rules and entry information. NOTE: Please plan to provide an 8×10 printed image for display in the Rec Center gallery.

Important Dates to Remember:

May 15: Contest opens. Use the online form and drop photo entry at the WB MUD Rec Center

Sept. 1: Contest closes and voting ends

Sept. 21: Winners announced

Sept. 28: Early sales begin at the WBNA Arts at the Library Marketplace

Oct. 1: The new 2025 Calendars will be available at National Night Out

Questions? Contact: Margaret Sufke,
Calendar Contest Coordinator, at mmsufke@gmail.com

Volunteers Needed!
WBE PTA Facelift Painting Project

July 11-14 • Day and evening volunteer slots available.

Wells Branch Elementary School • 14650 Merrilltown Drive

Have you walked the halls at WBE lately? They’re looking a little drab…..which is why we’re SO excited that under the direction of our new Principal, Ms. Negrete, we’re going to give WBE a little facelift over the summer! This will mostly be done with paint, so we can show our bright Explorer blue and green a bit more than the boring colors that are currently on the walls. There might be a few other surprises in store too when students return in August!

In order to make this a success, we’re asking for ANYONE who is willing to volunteer and paint during the day or evening July 11-14. PTA is providing paint and supplies, so we just need some extra arms to make it happen! The AC will be on 🙂

Please respond to president@wellsbranchpta.org to let me know if you’re interested and available. Also, spread the word to friends, family, and teenagers looking for some “fun” volunteer work – the more the merrier!

Volunteer Opportunities at St.Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 

14311 Wells Port Drive

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church needs your help in reaching out to the people we serve. We promise that you will feel good doing this, and you can be involved as much or as little as you wish, and your schedule allows.

Thursday night Homeless Dinner/Showers:  We offer this ministry every Thursday. It continues to grow in popularity. We open the doors at 5:30, and our clients enjoy meals, showers, and laundry services. Volunteers start at 5:30pm and leave at 8:30 – 9:30pm. However, we can accommodate your schedule. Email edwardkopas@gmail.com for more info.

Food Pantry:  We reach a variety of clients who face food insecurity from Wells Branch and the surrounding areas. With the help of volunteers, customers shop for shelf-stable foods, fresh fruit & vegetables, frozen meat, seasonal offerings from our church garden, pet food & child diapers.

Lots of volunteers are needed at the food pantries on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 9am to noon. We also need volunteers on Fridays to prep for pantry-day or pick up food at the Central Texas Food Bank.  Email landsmanlaura@gmail.com for more info.

It’s so very gratifying for us to make life easier for the those in and around Wells Branch.  We have a great group of volunteers, but often need substitutes for them. That’s why we’re asking you to volunteer.  Give us a try!

Water, Mosquito Control, Native Plants

Insight from Wells Branch Wild Conservancy

As the temperature rises during the hot Texas summer months, gardeners know that it becomes a challenge to keep the plants alive while conserving water. The presence of mosquitoes in our yards and parks is another challenge that faces everyone. Fortunately, native plants offer a great solution. Native plants are adapted to the local climate which make them ideal for hot summers and mild winters. Once established, they are drought tolerant due to deep roots that allow them to withstand longer periods without water, thus reducing the need for constant irrigation. Examples include yuccas, salvias, agaves, mistflowers, and turk’s caps.

In addition to using native plants the following options are available to save water. 1) Use drip irrigation such as soaker hoses instead of sprinklers to minimize evaporation during irrigation. 2) Harvest rainwater from the roof by collecting it in barrels and use it for watering. 3) Apply organic mulch around plants to retain moisture and control weeds. 4) If you have an irrigation system, check for leaks and only irrigate according to the schedule determined by WB’s MUD.

Native plants can also help with mosquito control by acting as mosquito-repellents. Plants to select include lantana, lavender, bee balm, and sage. Non-native plants to consider include rosemary, garlic, marigold, citronella grass, lemongrass, basil, catnip, eucalyptus, and mint. Due to climate change mosquitoes are appearing earlier in the spring and even breeding into the winter in Texas. We want to prevent mosquito bites as these insects may carry a variety of diseases such as the West Nile fever.

Other natural methods to control mosquitoes include: 1) Remove standing water and regularly clean out features that require water, such as bird baths to eliminate breeding grounds. 2) Cover water storage containers or use mesh smaller than a mosquito. 3) Consider installing lightning that mosquitoes are not attracted to such as LED in outdoor spaces. 4) Sprinkle used coffee grounds on areas where there had been drainage problems to deprive eggs of oxygen. 5) Attract natural predators such as birds, frogs, and dragon flies by providing them habitats. 6) Use an outdoor fan on the patio or deck as mosquitoes are not very strong flyers. 7) Use mosquito dunks in a bucket of water to make a mosquito trap to kill off mosquito larvae instead of fogging, because fogging also kills other insects.

For personal protection, use insect repellent, wear light loose fitted clothes with long sleeves and long pants. For added security, consider pest control bloomington to address potential pest issues around your home.

You should also watch out for signs of pest infestations inside your home. If you discover bed bugs in your home, you may need to seek bed bug preparation services from www.advancedbbp.com/.

Heat Stroke:  Know the Signs

Pflugerville Fire / Travis Co ESD No.2

During hot and humid weather, your body has a harder time cooling.  When the body heats up too quickly to properly cool itself – or when too much fluid/salt is lost through sweating or dehydration – the victim may suffer heat exhaustion or heat stroke which is very serious.  Below are tips on preventing heat stroke, recognizing its symptoms, and first aid. And remember: never leave kids, pets, or disabled adults alone in parked cars … not even for a few minutes!  Have a safe and enjoyable summer everybody.

PREVENTING HEAT STROKE

• Slow down! Reduce, cancel or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day
• Even if you don’t feel thirsty, proactively bring and drink plenty of water (not very cold) or other non-alcoholic, decaffeinated fluids
• Prevent sunburn through sunscreen, sunhats, and minimizing direct exposure to the sun; a sunburn reduces your body’s ability to cool down
• Dress in lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight
• Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salad
• Take a cool bath or shower
• Spend time in air-conditioned locations
• When the room temperature is hotter than 90°, don’t direct the flow of portable electric fans toward you because the dry, blowing air may further dehydrate you

 HEAT STROKE SYMPTOMS

• Altered mental state or confusion
• Hot, red, dry, or moist skin
• One or more of these symptoms: dizziness, throbbing headache, nausea, shallow breathing
• Rapid and strong pulse
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Body temperature 103°F or greater

FIRST AID FOR HEAT STROKE

• Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency! Call 9-1-1 or get the victim to a hospital immediately
• Get to a cooler setting, preferably air-conditioned
• Do not give fluids
• Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or a bath •  Use a fan only IF the heat index is BELOW the high-90s

Celebrate Independence Day
the Wells Branch Way at 4thFest!

4th Fest is brought to you by the WB MUD Recreation Department—Thank you!

Roll out the Red, White & Blue!
Let’s show our Wells Branch Spirit. 

Meet in front of the community center at 9:30am.  The parade takes off at 10am.  If you’ve never been to one of our parades before, then get ready to see lots of decorated bikes, wagons, trailers, DOGS, KIDS, hats, motorcycles and floats.  It’s a grand event!  If you wish to include a float in this year’s parade, please contact the WB MUD Program & Events Coordinator at 512-251-9814.

2024 Parade Route (Departs at 10am)

Facing west on Klattenhoff Dr. => Right on Alpha Collier
=> Right on Fronia Woodward => Right on Cervin Blvd.
=> Right on Wells Port Dr. => Right on Crystal Shore
=> Right on Klattenhoff Dr. => Return to KF Park

When the parade returns to the Community Center, we kick off a day of fun events.  There’ll be children’s activities throughout the park until 2:00pm and free admission to KF Pool with games there from 1:00-4:00pm.  The Kiddy Train will be all revved up and giving rides, there’ll be balloon clowns and face painting in the courtyard, and inflatables and a rock wall in the park until 2pm.  Be sure and capture a moment in the 4thFest photo booth.  Live entertainment starts at 10:30am under the Big Tent behind the Community Center with the band, Soul Shack. Cool off inside the CC, visit the WBNA Silent Auction or stop by the Library table for a tattoo. ALL FOR FREE!

Concessions will be available from local restaurants and community service groups offering a variety of items to enjoy. Finish up the day with fireworks at 9:00pm at the Rec Center on Shoreline.

WBNA 4thFest Silent Auction

Tuesday, July 4 | 9:00am – 2:00pm
WB Community Center | 2106 Klattenhoff Drive

Get ready to be dazzled at the 2024 WBNA Silent Auction during WB 4thFest! Proceeds benefit the entire community. Monies raised help to fund the Easter Egg Hunt, National Night Out and Pumpkin Patch/Painting along with our participation in WB MUD Halloween Trunk or Treat and Luminary Fest. We also host several educational and safety seminars throughout the year.

Check out the amazing selection of gift baskets and certificates, goods and services donated by Wells Branch friends, neighbors, and businesses! Online bidding began June 21 and ends on July 2 at noon. Check out all the spectacular goods and services at 32auctions.com/WBNA4thFest2024

In person bidding will take place from 9:00am to 2:00pm, July 4th. Here are some bidding tips to ensure your success. Remember you MUST have a bidder number to place a bid. Check in at the registration desk,  it only takes a minute. Please note that the auction closes in stages, starting at 1:15pm. Event staff will be ready to help with the “Buy Now” option for any item.

Contact Margaret Sufke at 512-341-0428 or SilentAuction@wbna.us if you have an item or service you’d like to donate or if you’d like to volunteer.  We can ALWAYS use a hand. Volunteers are welcome and very much needed!

A 4thFest Request from St. Andrew’s: Our food bank supplies are running low and our Pantry Program is busier than ever. As you head out to watch the parade, go to the WB MUD outdoor activities or head to the WBNA Silent Auction, please consider bringing a canned good or dry pantry item. We will have a collection table set up in the Community Center lobby. Thank you for your support.

Fireworks Location Reminder

Brought to you by the WB MUD Parks & Rec. Dept.

WB MUD will launch the July 4th fireworks display from the soccer field/detention pond on Shoreline Drive between the Rec. Center and Fire Station.

Please refer to the map to the right for designated seating areas.  We suggest being in your seats by 9pm, as the fireworks begin at dark (around 9:30pm).

Although parking is available along the street and in the Willow Bend Pool parking lot, the number of spaces are limited, so we encourage all that can, to walk or ride bikes.

Please come early, bring your blankets, chairs, coolers and bug spray.

Don’t forget to clear your area and pick up your trash when you leave. Thank you!

Questions? Call the MUD Rec Center at 512-251-9814.

REMINDER:  PLEASE UPDATE YOUR PET’S
MICROCHIP INFO and MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THEIR COLLAR & TAGS!

Every year we see an increase in lost pets around the 4th of July, as they try to escape the noise and confusion of fireworks.

IF YOU FIND A LOST PET please TEXT the Wells Branch microchip scanner volunteer at (512) 270-1026 for a free scan, or take the pet to your nearest fire station, vet office, or pet supply store such as Petsmart or Petco to have them scanned.

Please post on the Wells Branch Lost and Found Pets page on Facebook, Austin Lost & Found Pets, Pflugerville Lost & Found Pets, Nextdoor, and the Wells Branch Google Group.