All posts by Debby Thompson

SAVE the DATE!  EXTREME CLEAN Spring! • Saturday, April 8

Start getting your stuff together!  It’s almost time for EXTREME CLEAN SPRING!  Each quarter, the WB MUD and WBNA collaborate to host a quarterly recycling and repurposing event.  Our next one is scheduled for Saturday, April 8, from 8am-5pm at the MUD Maintenance Yard, 13905 Thermal.  Below is the schedule.  Please note:  We cannot accept medication after NOON, or shredding after 1pm. 

Springtime is our busiest collection and the WBNA welcomes volunteers.  We’d love your help for an hour, or the entire day, whatever you can give!  To volunteer, call or email 512-656-0654 or info@wbna.us.  This is a perfect opportunity for high school students to finish up community service hours before the end of the school year.

EXTREME CLEAN  Spring!  Saturday, April 8
See below for SPECIFIC TIMES
WB MUD Maintenance Yard • 13905 Thermal Drive

Drug Take Back • 8am-NOON

Shredding • 8am-1pm

Habitat for Humanity • 8am-1pm

Easter Seals • 8am-4pm

ATXHAW • 8am-4pm

Accepting donations for those experiencing homelessness.  For a list of needed items, please visit:  http://www.austinhumanistsatwork.org/donate/

 Pet Supplies for Shelter Animals • 8am-4pm

Bulk Trash •  Styrofoam • Metal Drop Off
Electronics Recycling • Household Waste Collection
Batteries • Paint* • Antifreeze* ONLY

*MUST be in closed containers.

8am-5pm

ATTENTION:  We cannot accept ANY TYPE of OIL (cooking or motor), car or boat batteries. Motor oil may be dropped off at McSpadden’s Automotive (NW corner of IH35/WB Pkwy) from 8am-4pm free of charge.  Batteries can be taken to CMC Metal Recycling, 1704 Howard Lane M-F from 8am-5pm.  Questions?  Call 512-656-0654.

– Yard Chemical Recycling/Repurposing/Reuse –
Saturday, April 8 • 8:00am-5:00pm
– 2606 Tracy Trail –

 – Fertilizers • Pesticides • Herbicides • Fungicides –

*All chemicals must be in labeled and sealed or in secure containers.  Items left will be posted on the Google Group, Craigslist, and Freecycle for repurposing.  Anything left on Monday, will be transported by private vehicle to the Travis County Hazardous Waste Facility.  If you have any questions about what can be left, please ask.  My husband is volunteering to do this while I’m at the Thermal location.  He’s got a bum knee, so if he’s not outside, please ring the doorbell before leaving anything on the driveway.  We want to help, but we need everyone to pitch in and cooperate in order to make this portion of the event work.  Thank you!

Upcoming Events!

WB MUD St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Concert in the Park
Friday, March 17 • 7:00-8:00pm
KF Park • 2106 Klattenhoff Drive

Wear your green and come experience Celtic heritage with the Silver Thistle Pipes and Drums as they lead a parade through Wells Branch’s Katherine Fleischer Park.  The short parade will end at the Wells Branch Community Center courtyard where guests will continue to be entertained by the band and traditional dances.  Wells Branch Community Church will provide face painting and temporary tatoos.

WB MUD Dog Fair
Saturday, March 18 • 10am-1pm
KF Park • 2106 Klattenhoff Drive

2014-04-05 Wells Branch Dog Fair 049Calling all dogs!  Free to all!  Come and visit the many booths hosted by local veterinarians and other pet-oriented businesses.  Enroll your pooch to win prizes in one of the many free and fun competitions including Best Trick, Fastest Dog, Best Dressed, Dog & Owner Look-A-Like and our prestigious Wells Branch King and Queen contest.  All dogs attending the event must be must be current on their vaccinations, on a leash and under owner’s control at all times.  No aggressive dogs please.

2nd Annual WB Kite Festival
Sunday, March 19 • 11am-5pm
Retention Pond/Dog Park northeast of
the WB MUD Annex • 14611 Wells Port

Come early and stay late!  Join us for a kite flying, picnicking, community led event.  Absolutely FAMILY FRIENDLY!  Bring your blankets and lawn chairs.  Scouts will be selling bottled water and other concessions may be available; pack your own goodies or plan on purchasing once you get there.  Please bring a trash bag as we’re required to pack our rubbish out.

For questions, or to help with the planning, please contact Mark Johnson at jonnojohnson@gmail.com.  Look for our event on Facebook and share with your friends and neighbors.

Travis County Audubon Society presents:
Put Out the Welcome Mat for Backyard Birds with Jane Tillman
Wednesday, March 22 • 6:30-8:00pm
WB Community Library • 15001 Wells Port Drive

What is a bird looking for, when it decides your yard is a good place for a drop-in visit or long-term stay?  Just like humans, birds need food, water, shelter and places to raise young safely, to thrive.  Learn how to attract a diversity of expected backyard species, using native plants, water features, supplemental feeders, and nestboxes.  Your yard will come alive with bird song and activity!
Jane Tillman is an active member of the Travis Audubon Society, a Capital Area Master Naturalist and the current president of the Native Plant Society of Texas, Austin chapter. Since 2003 Jane has been teaching people how to attract birds to their yards with native plants.  She teaches beginning backyard birding classes, leads field trips and gives talks about Central Texas birds to groups including garden clubs, neighborhood associations, birding festivals, libraries, and Kiwanis clubs.

WBNA Officer Elections

Thursday, February 23 • 6:00-6:30pm
WB Community Center • 2106 Klattenhoff Drive

All residents (both in-district and out-of-district) are invited and encouraged to attend and participate in the annual WBNA meeting on Thursday, February 23, 6:00pm at the Community Center on Klattenhoff, prior to the FOL Financial Seminar.

Continue reading WBNA Officer Elections →

Holiday Safety Tips

by Debby Thompson, WBNA President & WB Neighborhood Watch Coordinator

santa-sneaky-on-roof-colorWith 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.

Continue reading Holiday Safety Tips →

Holiday Events!

holiday-best-use-of-lightsHoliday 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-day-yjfdyw-clipartPolar 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.

 

wbcc-nightbeforeeventgraphicNight 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!”

banner-vote-2016-copy

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

Mad Science
Friday, November 11 • 6pm
WB Community Library • 15001 Wells Port

(wblibrary.org for more info)

jlj-logoFamily Fun Day at Joe Lee Johnson Elementary
Saturday, November 12 • 9am-1pm
Joe Lee Johnson Elementary • 2800 Sauls Drive

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

Tom SpencerWater for Wildlife: Ensuring Texas’ Rivers Don’t Run Dry with Tom Spencer

Sunday, November 13, 2016 • 3pm
WBCL • 15001 Wells Port Drive

Program Director of the Texas Living Waters Project, Tom Spencer will join us for an enlightening discussion of water conservation and wildlife protection.

Thanksgiving Potluck
Saturday, November 19 • 6-8pm
Dedication Grove • 3pmWells Branch neighbors once again come together for our annual Thanksgiving potluck dinner. The fellowship will be held from 6-8pm at the Recreation Center, 3000 Shoreline Drive. Everyone is encouraged to bring a side dish or dessert to serve 10. The turkey, ham, dressing, potatoes, bread, and beverages will be provided by the WB MUD.  Brown Santa barrels will be on-site so please bring a non-perishable food item and/or a new or gently used toy.

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! 

Youth Fowl Shot Contest
Tuesday, November 22• 6-8 pm
WB Rec. Ctr. • 3000 Shoreline Drive

turkey_wavesWells 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.