All posts by Debby Thompson

vote-quote-tony-snow-copyImportant Links to Candidate Info

If you were unable to attend the Candidate Forum held on October 12, we hope you’ll follow these links and view the presentation as time allows.
The first recording is of opening statements and prepared questions. The second video is of audience questions and closing statements. We hope you’ll take the time to watch them. The WBNA would like to thank Clay Leben of PfCONA (Pflugerville Council of Neighborhood Associations) for lending his time and talent to us. Thank you neighbors for your participation!
https://www.facebook.com/205101652856649/videos/1325120777521392/
As a reminder, we have brief bios for each of the candidates under the ‘Elections’ tab along with contact information for each of them.  You’ll also find a page for the candidates for Wells Branch Library Board of Trustees under the same tab.

WB MUD Board Place 2: https://wbna.us/…/meet-the-mud-bo…/2016-wb-mud-board-place-2/

WB MUD Board Place 4: https://wbna.us/…/meet…/2016-wb-mud-board-place-4-candidates/

Other Important Links to Voter Information!

Visit vote411.org for your sample ballot and link to the League of Women Voters Guide for each of the applicable races we’re voting on in Wells Branch. This site is non-partisan, candidates have answered questions for the publication, it’s organized well and offers comparison pages for each race. It also offers links to all the voting locations.

Travis County Candidate Meet & Greet – SAVE the DATE!  October 20, 7pm

I am excited to announce that we have confirmations from the following candidates for our October 20th Meet & Greet.  The choices we make in local elections impact our lives on a daily basis.  Please make an effort to attend.  The meeting will be held Thursday, October 20, 7pm at the Wells Branch Community Center, 2106 Klattenhoff.  Candidates will have seven minutes each to introduce themselves to the crowd and then we’ll break for refreshments and to allow the candidates to visit with individual neighbors or in small groups.  We keep it very informal, down home and friendly.  We’d love for each of you to join us!

your-vote-your-voiceHouse District 50
Celia Israel (D)
Caesar Ruiz (R)

Travis County District Attorney
Margaret Moore (D)
Maura Phelan (R)

Travis County Sheriff
Sally Hernandez (D)
Joe Martinez (R)

Travis County Constable, Pct. 2
Adan Ballesteros (D)
Deke Pierce (R)

Don’t got to the polls without knowing the candidates!

brent-baggett-composite-copyWB Residents Choose Art for New Complex

Thank you for taking the time to vote for your artwork preference to be located at Art at Bratton’s Edge.  With an overwhelming majority, Brent Baggett’s “Eyes on the Future” has been selected by  Wells Branch residents.  This complex stainless steel sculpture will be installed on-site in time for the grand opening celebration and can be appreciated as a new perspective from different angles of the surrounding community.

Art at Bratton’s Edge should be complete by November 2016.  The first tenants are expected to move in late October.  The property began leasing in August and is currently 46% leased.  They hope to have a grand opening celebration some time in mid-November and invite the Wells Branch community to join them.  Tours of the property will be available.

Art in Public Spaces – New Sculpture for Art at Bratton’s Edge

The Wells Branch community has been given the honor of selecting the Artwork to be located at the Art at Bratton’s Edge apartment complex at the corner of Bratton Lane and Long Vista.  We have two (2) pieces to choose from, both by local Austin artists.  Sculpture selection should be made based on the work’s artistic merit and potential for enhancing the site.  A picture/concept is included with title and description along with the artist’s statement and biography.  If you want to be a remarkable artist that can put the public in one day as well, you can start by acquiring tools like that graphic design drawing tablet. If you have kids who love arts and crafts, then you should consider getting crafting supplies for students.

Click HERE to VOTE.

Please take a moment to review the information and let us know which you feel would be a good fit for our community.  Select only one.

brent-baggett-composite-copyArtist: Brent Baggett
Title: “Eyes on the Future”

Description:

  • Welded stainless steel square tube to create a “zig-zag” structure with stainless steel braided cable threaded throughout
  • Dimensions: 9′ x 3.5′ x 3.5 plus 4 ft. pedestal
  • Appears different from each angle for a new perspective

Artist Biography:
Brent was born in Kentucky in 1972.  He received his BFA from Murray State University, KY and his MFA from Bard College, NY.  He currently lives in Austin, TX with his wife and son.  Brent has been teaching art at Austin Community College since 2007 and also actively produces sculpture in his studio.  He has been working with public art for over sixteen years.  From 2000 to 2006 Brent worked as studio manager and fabricator for Artist Brower Hatcher at Mid-Ocean Studio in Providence, RI.  During that time, Mid-Ocean Studio successfully completed fifteen large-scale public sculptures.  Since 2006 Brent has been awarded many public art commissions of his own designs with several more currently in the design phase.

Artist Statement:
Interests: 
My artistic interests are widely varied.  Over the past two years I have been working with abstract spiraling forms and progressive rhythms that radiate around or from a central axis.  This approach has created visually dynamic forms that communicate growth, movement, transformation and energy.

Inspiration:
I enjoy making sculpture for the public realm.  I like knowing that my objects are reaching a large audience and possibly giving viewers a moment of rest and contemplation.  I have had a great public response to my work, and I hope to be able to continue creating sculpture for the public’s enjoyment.

nicole-blair-composite-copyArtist: Nicole Blair
Title: “Brother + Sister”

Description:

  • Geometric based sculpture with a strong resemblance to a brother and sister pairing.
  • Dimensions: 9′ x 3 ‘ x 1.5’
  • Create diamond pattern and color combinations utilizing Elgin Butler glazed brick inspired by Alexander Girard painted wood toys.
  • Diagram on left depicts finished sculpture.  Example of glazed bricks to be used are on right.

Just got clarification regarding the “Brother + Sister” sculpture.  The photo to the left is a picture of the Alexander Girard TOY.  The actual sculpture would be much more abstract and covered with the tiles to the left.  See scale next to tiles.  Abstract.  Multi-color.   My apologies for the confusion.  It’s not going to look like the toy to the left.  That shape was just the inspiration. 

Artist Biography:
Nicole was born and raised in Austin, TX.  She earned her BS in Textiles and Apparel from Cornell University and her Masters in Architecture from Rice University.  She studied abroad in Florence (Syracuse University) and Paris (Rice University), and gained work experience in NYC in the award-winning offices of Peter Eisenman and Robert A.M. Stern Architects.

Nicole is please to live and work in Austin again to help shape the community that first shaped her.

Artist Statement:
Art and architecture are two of the most effective means for reconstructing the relationship between ourselves and our environment.  Drawing from personal experience, global to local influences, traditional and modern construction methods, as well as from the archives of companies and museums, I am interested in shaping and playing with form, color, pattern, materials and ideas which resonate as both familiar and uniquely original.  My work seeks to delight and warm its inhabitants and viewers.

Save the Date for National Night Out!

October 4th!  America’s Night Out Against Crime
Free Food • Great Company • Door Prizes!

NNO 2016Join your Wells Branch neighbors for our night out against crime, Tuesday, October 4, from 6:00-8:00pm at the gazebo at Katherine Fleischer Park. The WBNA will be serving up FREE hotdogs, sausage wraps, fruit & veggies, beans, hummus, sodas and chips. For dessert, we’ll have the Friends of the Library handing out Culver’s delicious frozen custard (while supplies last). And don’t forget the door prizes!

Guest Grillmaster Chris Carby of Branch BBQ will be manning the pit while distinguished guests will be on hand to visit with residents and answer questions (watch for updated list). Both children and adults will have the opportunity to talk with first responders, receive information on Neighborhood Watch and other programs available to residents, and tour the fire safety house and fire truck that ESD No. 2 will have onsite.

Come find out what’s going on in our community and discuss with local law enforcement officers and politicians what you can do to help reduce the opportunities for crimes to occur in our neighborhood.

aIMG_8749National Night Out’s purpose is to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts, build neighborhood spirit and strengthen our law enforcement-community partnership. Help send the message to criminals that Wells Branch is organized and fighting back.

Take a stand against crime. Turn on your porch light and come join your friends and neighbors at the park for food and fellowship. If you have a Neighborhood Watch group on your block (or even if you don’t) we’d like to encourage you to come eat dinner with us, listen to the speakers, and then return home to your street and gather with your neighbors over dessert to discuss how you can make your homes and our community safer.

We hope to see you there!

Traffic & Roads Meeting Update

Notes from July 27, 2016 Traffic & Roads Meeting with Pct. 2 Travis County Commissioner, Brigid Shea and TNR Engineering Division Manager, David Greear:

It was agreed that the top traffic priority for Wells Branch should be the completion of Grand Avenue.  Incomplete segments between Quick Hill Road and Crissom are due to be completed over the next few months; hopefully, by the end of the year.  This will still leave the section between Crissom and Bratton to be paved.  It was suggested that residents contact the owner of that property (parcel #379473) and encourage donation of right-of-way.  WB resident Daniel Barnekow has reached out to the owners and will keep us posted.

In order of priority:

  • TNR will conduct traffic studies on the following intersections beginning the second week of school.  If determined that changes are needed, it will take approximately 6-8 weeks for the county to implement them.
    • Sauls/Bratton Intersection: review for possible light
    • Sauls/Crissom Intersection: review for possible 3-way stop
    • Crissom/Kissman Intersection: review for possible 3-way stop
    • Grand Avenue/Bratton Intersection: review for possible 3-way stop
  • Sidewalk & Crosswalk review for children traveling from The Lake at Wells Branch to Joe Lee Johnson Elementary.  A Crosswalk at Brad/Jack’s Pond/Bratton has been requested in the past to accommodate westbound access to the dog park and eastbound access to the pond and trail.  With the elementary boundary change, it may be necessary to add a crosswalk at this location as installation of a sidewalk on the east side of Bratton from Brad up to the tunnel is not possible.  Children at the far end of Haley Hollow/Doria will have to travel into and through the park in order to cross to the school via the tunnel or take the sidewalk (beginning at tunnel) up to Long Vista to cross.  The WB MUD will be looking at possible ways to improve tunnel and sidewalk safety.
  • Timing of traffic light at Wells Branch Parkway/Wells Port: extending time for Wells Port traffic to cross WB Pkwy.
  • Signage/turn lane at eastbound WB Pkwy at I35: clarification of turn lanes and signage.
  • Traffic Study for Cadoz after the extension is completed: approximately 1 year out.
  • Concern over noise/traffic from new soccer fields.  Possible solution to include “No Parking Signs” on Cadoz (back from the stop sign and on Shoreline on either side of the Cadoz intersection and either side of the entrance to the soccer fields.  Ideal solution would be to not allow parking at all on north side of Shoreline from 1325 up to Quinley Drive.  This would allow greater visibility for traffic turning out from side streets onto Shoreline Drive.  Overflow parking from the soccer complex would have to be considered.  Perhaps an agreement with Shoreline Church and a crosswalk to the soccer complex?
  • Speed Bumps were once again requested.  Commissioner Shea is willing to pursue approval of speed bumps/humps/turtles with Travis County ESD #2.  The issue in the past had been that when then Commissioner Eckhardt proposed speed bumps to the Commissioners Court, all of the ESDs could not reach an agreement approving them.  Commissioner Shea is willing to ask if they could be permitted on an ESD by ESD basis, rather than requiring unified ESD approval.
  • Resident Dan Barnekow proposed decorative painting of crosswalks as the City of Austin has recently given approval to neighborhood designs.  Benefits include a greater visibility of crosswalks to traffic, attracts use by pedestrians (as opposed to jaywalking), and allows the community to create a neighborhood identity.  Commissioner Shea and David Greear said they would look into it and see if the County could implement that type of program.
  • Shoreline/1325:  We continue to work with authorities regarding additional turn lanes for the intersection of Shoreline and 1325.  We started with Travis County, were referred to TXDOT, who then sent us to the City of Austin.  The City now says it belongs back at the County level. Last word is that they’re “talking”.  We’ll keep you posted.

Knight and maidenRenaissance Day in the Park

September 18 • 10am-2pm • KF Park

Come get a taste of medieval times thanks to collaboration between Wells Branch and the local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism.  The society is an international association of people who re-enact the Middle Ages as they will for Wells Branch with chivalric and rapier demonstrations along with individual guilds including clothiers, fiber artisans, leatherworkers, dancers, scribes, brewers, metal workers, glass engravers, enamellers, herbalists, and others.  Many of the ancient arts will be on display in the baseball field at Katherine Fleischer Park.  The event will be from 10-2pm and is free to the public.  Roasted corn, sausage on a stick, and drinks will be available for purchase.

Travis County Traffic/Roads Meeting
with Pct. 2 Commissioner, Brigid Shea

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 7PM
WB Community Center • 2106 Klattenhoff

Pct. 2 Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea has asked for a meeting with the residents of Wells Branch this coming Wednesday, July 27 at 7pm in the Community Center on Klattenhoff. She and David Greear, TNR Division Engineering Manager, will be on hand to discuss any and all traffic related questions that pertain to Wells Branch. While this meeting is important to all Wells Branch residents, it is essential that those of you living in Willow Run and those from other parts of Wells Branch whose children will be attending Athlos Academy or Joe Lee Johnson Elementary, attend this meeting. Come. Ask questions. Express your concerns over traffic flow when school opens this fall and ask how quickly the County can assess and remedy the situation should they deem it necessary.

Previous Meeting Update: June 27, the WBNA and MUD Safety Committee met with Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea, and engineers from TNR Development Services: Christine Connor (road development) and Michael Hettenhausen (case manager for Travesia Subdivision). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss with Commissioner Shea the Cadoz extension and weigh the pros and cons: connectivity vs. increased traffic as some residents had expressed concern over the extension.

When asked if there was still an opportunity to get a crash gate installed on Cadoz between Willow Run and Travesia Subdivision, the development team said yes, but it would be difficult as the benefits of the alternative ingress/egress options far out weigh the traffic issues extension may cause. In order to balance traffic flow and give residents as many options as possible, everyone agreed that we need to focus on completion of Grand Avenue through to Bratton Lane as quickly as possible.

There is only one remaining parcel of land preventing the completion of Grand Avenue from Quick Hill Road all the way to I35. All other contributing parcels have been scheduled for development. Commissioner Shea and the engineering team felt that the best route would be to approach the owner of parcel #379473 (land not yet scheduled for development) and suggest they donate or yield right of way to Travis County NOW, before planned development so that they could begin the process. Benefits to the landowner would include not having to pay for road construction upon development, waiver of replatting fees, and increased property value due to easy access with completed (or near completion) roadway once they decide to sell or develop.

A group of WB residents plans to start working on the Grand Avenue issue in the next few weeks. Please note: Even if the property owners agreed tomorrow to turn over the land, we’re still at least two years out on possible punch through, more likely, 3-4 years. Planning for the budget cycle for 2016-2017 Travis County is near completion. Grand Avenue development would have to be included in the 2017-2018 Budget and most likely would depend on a road bond being passed.

Please put forth every effort to attend the upcoming meeting.

A Portrait of Wells Branch
2017 Calendar
Pre-Order Yours TODAY!

fol calendar cover 8 copyA true community collaboration, the Friends of the Library have collected amazing photos from our talented WB photographers and are featuring them in a limited edition, first-ever, Wells Branch Calendar.  Order yours today!

It’s super easy! Just follow the link below –

Pre-Order Your FOL “A Portrait of Wells Branch” 2017 Community Calendar HERE!
https://squareup.com/…/friends-of-the-wells-branch-communi…/