WB MUD presents: Food Truck Fridays!Join us for Wells Branch MUD’s Food Truck Fridays! This week, May 31st, Mama’s Soul Food/BBQ will be serving Brisket/Ribs/Chicken/Sausage/Boudin/Hamburgers/Hot Dogs/Baked Beans/Potato Salad/Pasta Salad and Kona Ice will have all their yummy shaved ice flavors.
Come share supper at KF Park with your friends and neighbors! There’s plenty of room for the kids to run and adults to chill! Start the weekend off right!
Saturday, May 18 • Meet at 9am at WB Community Garden (corner of Town Hill and Single Trace) to begin the tour.
Join us at 9am to sneak a peek behind the fences and see some of the best and most interesting gardens in Wells Branch. Take a look at how neighbors are planting to create an oasis in the shade or a sunny paradise. We’ll visit both vegetable and flower gardens and take away lots of great ideas.
We will end the tour here with light refreshments and choose the winner of the 2019 Tour.
Thanks to Glen for all of his hard work recruiting new yards and for hosting the social at the end of this year’s tour!
Thanks to all the gardeners whose yards are featured on this year’s tour!
WBNA Easter Egg HuntJoin your friends, neighbors and The Easter Bunny, himself, as Wells Branch welcomes Spring with the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Homestead. “Hunts” will be by age group and begin at 10:30am. Come early and visit with the Easter Bunny or have fun at our craft table. If you plan on attending, please take a moment to read this article in its entirety.
Two years ago, a web source picked up our event and shared it with 133,000 followers. As many of you observed first hand, the results were overwhelming. Last year, we were back to Wells Branch neighbors! ALL Wells Branch residents and their invited guests are welcome. We know past problems weren’t with our neighbors, but more likely, those who just aren’t used to how we do things in Wells Branch. Still, we ask that everyone be on their best behavior, volunteers included. No yelling, stealing eggs, reaching under the tape and filling baskets before we start, or busting down the tape and charging ahead before your age group is called. We need parents to set the example. We’ve added a second group for the little guys as that was an issue two years ago. It seemed to work well last year. ONE parent will be allowed in to help with the two youngest age groups (0-18mos & 18mos-3yrs). We ask that you respect this restriction. All other age groups must hunt on their own. Feel free to coach ahead of time. There will be 7 minutes between “hunts” to allow parents of multiple children to navigate the crowds. Please, only allow your children to hunt with their respective age group. Last, but not least, please remember that this event is put on by volunteers. We spend weeks getting ready and usually stuff 8,000-10,000 eggs. It’s no small feat. So, if a volunteer asks something of you, please be respectful of their requests. If for some reason, your child ends up without many eggs, any of our volunteers in bunny ears will have extra goodies. Just let one of us know.
We love our neighbors and our community. We’re asking for everyone’s help in advance in creating a joyful experience for all involved.
We need volunteers to help things run more smoothly. Anyone whose kids have aged out of the hunt, or older teens who need service hours, we would be so appreciative of your time! Please contact us for more information at info@wbna.us or call 512-656-0654.
Those of you who’ve attended our hunts in the past know we have very few rules, but we do ask parents to follow those rules and be courteous and respectful of your neighbors so that all of our children may enjoy the hunt.
Age Groups:
0-18mos & 18mos-3yrs
*Only 1 parent per child in egg hunting area
*Watch out for potential choking hazards
4-6yrs • 7-9yrs • 10-12yrs
* No parents allowed in egg hunting area
BE ON TIME (early is better) AS THE “HUNTS” GO QUICKLY.
Check all eggs for prizes. • Let a volunteer know if there’s an issue. • Recycle your eggs with the WBNA. • Have FUN!
If you’ve ever had any questions about any of our WB wildlife, please attend this meeting! It’s only an hour and you’ll have answers to all your questions! If you are unable to attend, the meeting will be live streamed on the WBNA Facebook page.
The City of Austin does not remove or relocate healthy native wildlife. Instead, the City of Austin/ Travis County’s Wildlife Officers work with residents to provide tailored, humane, and long-term solutions to resolve conflict. It is important to report any concerning behavior to 311 so the Wildlife Officer can monitor activity.
During the winter months, coyotes may be more active as they find mates, their own territory and food. Coyotes are typically most active at dawn and dusk, though they may be seen hunting or traveling during daytime hours. During March-November, coyotes will have pups in the den. Coyote behavior is influenced by season. During denning season, coyotes may see large dogs a threat to their pups. Coyotes may use a flushing technique to protect their pups. Hazing is a technique used to influence coyote behavior throughout the country. Evidence suggest that hazing is more effective than lethal measures. It is really simple to haze a coyote to reinforce natural behavior. We want to share space, but not time. Please read the information below for more details about pet safety, hazing, flushing, and attractants.
Pet safety:
Hazing: Encouraging coyotes to avoid contact with people. Hazing should be exaggerated, assertive and consistent.
Flushing Behavior:
Haze:
Do not to haze:
Reliable Food Sources: To keep coyotes and other wildlife wild, we can follow a few, simple preventative measures:
For more information on hazing, attractants or reliable food sources, and pet safety, visit: http://www.austintexas.gov/department/coyotes-central-texas
For immediate assistance, call 311. To schedule a one-hour presentation with a Wildlife Educator, call (512) 978-0514.
Upcoming Opportunities to Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle!Just a quick reminder that as you “Spring Clean” over the next month, we have some upcoming events that allow you to Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle!
First up is the Friends of the Library Garage Sale on March 30. If you’re not up for hosting your own garage sale and don’t want items to go to waste, the FOL will gladly take them off your hands! Visit their website for more info: http://wbfriends.org/. Leftovers at the end of the day will be donated to Easter Seals.
Coming up April 13, we’ve got EXTREME Clean Spring! at 13905 Thermal from 8am-2pm. This is the perfect excuse to clean out all your cabinets and closets! Twice a year, we have Drug Take Back and FREE On-site Shredding. We’ll also be collecting supplies for Austin Wildlife Rescue and assorted Animal Rescue Groups (clean towels, pet beds, bowls, crates, collars and leashes, toys, etc.), those experiencing homelessness via Austin Humanists at Work www.austinhumanistsatwork.org, Austin Creative Reuse http://austincreativereuse.org/, Easter Seals http://www.easterseals.com/centraltx/. This year, we’ll be collecting gently used (or new) purses for Handbags for Hope to be distributed to women’s shelters throughout Texas. We’ll have more info up on the WBNA website next week. And as always, we’ll be collecting metal, electronics, styrofoam, paint, anti-freeze, household batteries, and cardboard for recycling. Please sort through the items you bring for bulk trash and repurpose or recycle wherever possible.
As an added bonus, we’re bringing back Yard Chemical Redistribution. This year, we’ll be collecting fertilizer, pesticides, and fungicides at 2602 Tracy Trail from 8am-2pm on April 13 in conjunction with EXTREME Clean Spring. Our volunteer, Pamela Woodward, will be collecting and listing items as they come in with the intent of finding homes for the unwanted supplies. Leftovers will be transported to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility the following week. Please do not bring these chemicals to the Thermal location. They will only be taken at Tracy Trail. Please make sure supplies are in their original containers and sealed or re-sealed. Previously opened containers are acceptable, but we do need to be able to seal them for transport. Relatively “clean” is appreciated as well.
The WBNA collaborates with Wells Branch MUD four times a year to offer our Extreme Clean program. Watch our websites and the upcoming WBNA newsletter for updates.
If you need help transporting items to EXTREME Clean, WB Venturing Crew 1409 will be offering pick up as a fundraiser. There is a minimun $20 charge, but we encourage you to tip accordingly as our Wells Branch youth are earning money for campouts/trips as well as offering a valuable community service. To schedule pick up, contact Daniel White at 512-413-0097.
WB Garden GuildThe Wells Branch Neighborhood Association and the Garden Guild are sponsoring a yard landscaping contest for the Spring of 2019. A one hundred dollar prize will be awarded to the yard voted best landscaped during the Wells Branch Garden Tour on May 18, 2019. You may nominate your yard for inclusion in the tour by sending photos of your landscaping with your name, physical address, email and phone number to glennoe@att.net by April 20, 2019. Nine yards will be selected to participate in the tour, with an emphasis on including yards new to the tour, and tour participants will vote to name one yard “Best Landscape of the Tour“.
Make Plans NOW to Join the Silver Branchers!The Silver Branchers began in 1988 as a group of seniors interested in meeting for fun and fellowship. The current group has continued this tradition and would like to extend an invitation to any and everyone who might be interested in making new friends. Meetings are held Thursdays from 1- 3 PM at the Wells Branch Rec. Center, 3000 Shoreline Drive to visit and play games. We also have socials and take day trips to local places of interest from time-to-time (list below). Membership is free. There are no age requirements; everyone is welcome.
Thursday, April 18 – Picnic in the K.F. Park Gazebo catered by Branch Bar B Que. We will meet at the gazebo at 1:00pm. Cost is $17. Cut off for registration and payment is April 5. Advanced collection of fees is done by cash or check with Glen 512-461-1665. No refunds after cut off date. This event may be rescheduled to a later date in case of inclement weather.
Thursday, July 18 – Museum trio: Bullock (https://www.thestoryoftexas.com),Blanton Museum of Art (https://blantonmuseum.org/) and the Harry Ransom Center (http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/) are all in close proximity so you can choose which you wish to visit. Cut off for registration is July 11. We will leave the Rec. Center at 10:00am and return at 2:00pm (back at the Rec. Center by 2:30pm).
Wednesday, October 16 – Vanishing Texas River Cruise, 11:00am Cruise, http://www.vtrc.com/scenic-wilderness-cruises/. We will leave the Rec. Center at 9:15 and return following the cruise. Please make your reservation directly with the cruise operator (512) 756-6986 as early as possible after August 1 since these cruises sell out in advance. Cost is $22.50. Remember to sign up with the staff at the Rec. Center as well; that cut off date is October 10.
Thursday, December 5 – Christmas Luncheon, 1pm at Mesa Rosa, 15515 FM 620, near the intersection with TX 45, http://www.mesarosa.com/. We will leave the Rec. Center at 12:30pm and return following lunch. Cut off for registration is November 27.
You may sign up for events with the Wells Branch MUD’s customer service at 512-251-9814 or at the customer service desk at the Wells Branch Recreation Center. Please note that if we are not collecting fees in advance of an event, you will be responsible for making reservations if needed and paying any fees. Transportation may be limited, so please insure that you have secured a ride as we are not responsible for forfeited event fees. If private cars are used for transportation, you may be asked to contribute for the driver’s expenses. For more information call Glen at 512-461-1665 or https://wbna.us/community/silver-branchers/.
Expect an increase in all kinds of wild creatures (possums, raccoons, snakes, rats, coyotes) this spring as we have several new construction projects underway in and around Willow Run. The best form of control for any of these animals is an integrated plan that removes access to shelter, food and water. If you have a rat or mouse problem, then the use of rodenticides or traps may be necessary as well. Every resident in Wells Branch can take steps to minimize appeal to these animals. Rodent control is particularly effective when all our neighbors participate.
Coyotes: It’s breeding season, folks. Our largest den (by Sambuca and Mocha) has just been displaced and is in the process of relocating the pack within the area so we’re seeing increased activity. Please visit the sites listed below and make sure you’re following all their tips.
Below are two presentations given by City of Austin Wildlife Animal Protection Officer Adrienne Clark in Wells Branch in 2018 & 2017, a hand out from Travis County to download, and links to City of Austin, Humane Society, and Texas Parks & Wildlife pages devoted to information on coyotes in an urban environment. All cover tips on deterring coyotes and discuss how to best protect your fur babies.
WBNA Meeting – April 19, 2018
WBNA Meeting – October 12, 2017
Should you come in contact with a coyote that does not respond to hazing or acts in an aggressive manner, please report it directly to Adrienne Clark. ***NOTE: Please don’t file a report unnecessarily as it will most likely be put down. They do not relocate coyotes.
Adrienne.Clark@austintexas.gov
Animal Protection Officer – Wildlife
Austin Animal Center
(512) 978-0514
Snakes: 
With the mild winter we’ve had and a plentiful food source, our slithery friends are out and about! Please remember that rat snakes are our FRIENDS. They earn their keep around here by keeping the rodent population down. While they can get quite large, they don’t pose a threat to you, your children or your pets and are reluctant to bite unless messed with – leave them be and they’ll go on about their business.
-Photo by Brad Dushkin
Unsure about which snakes are harmless and which may be poisonous? Visit austinreptileservice.net to learn more. This site makes it easy by breaking them down by stripes, blotches, diamonds, bands and solid color snakes.