All residents (both in-district and out-of-district) are invited and encouraged to attend the annual WBNA meeting on Thursday, February 7, 7pm at the Community Center on Klattenhoff.

Each year, the WBNA elects its Board on the last Thursday of January.  Both elementary schools have held their Science Fairs on that same night for the last few years and this prevented many of our families with young children from attending.  We want to include as many residents as possible so this year we’ve moved our elections to the following Thursday.

We’re pleased to announce that Sarah Eckhardt, Travis County Commissioner Pct. 2, will join us on February 7 to discuss how Travis County government and Wells Branch residents can continue working together to move Travis County forward.  She will be available for questions after speaking.  Commissioner Eckhardt has 16 years of public service experience for Travis County.  She is a mother of two and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.  Sarah Eskhardt can be reached at facebook.com/saraheckhardtaustin, on Twitter @Sarah_Eckhardt and at SarahEckhardt.com.

We’ll finish up the evening with WBNA officer elections.  As per our Bylaws, a nominating committee was selected in October to speak with residents interested in serving on the WBNA Board.  Unfortunately, two of the committee members have been ill and were unable to conduct interviews prior to the publication of this issue.  The nominating committee will be contacting interested parties this week and will post their recommended slate of candidates at wbna.us no later than 72 hours prior to the election.  Additional nominations will be taken from the floor.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  Many thanks to Tom Cheshire, Salvador Aguirre and Madonna Johnson for serving on the nominating committee.

We hope you’ll bring your ideas and suggestions for what you’d like to see from your neighborhood association in 2013.  See you on the 7th!

Valentine’s Day Dance

February 14 • 6:30-8:30pm

Rec. Center • 3000 Shoreline

Wells Branch MUD hosts its annual Valentine’s Day dance and concert Tuesday, February 14, from 6:30-8:30pm in the Recreation Center. This is a free event open to all ages.  You’re invited to come jump, jive, and wail on an open dance floor to the sounds of a live, swing band.   The Wells Branch  MUD will provide snack foods and drinks for everyone as well as roses for the ladies.

St. Patrick’s Day Bagpipe Concert in the Park

March 17 • 7pm

KF Park • 2106 Klattenhoff

Wear your green and come experience Celtic heritage at 7pm,  March 17.  March behind the Silver Thistle Pipes and Drums as they lead a parade through Wells Branch’s Katherine Fleischer Park. The parade will end at the Wells Branch Community Center where guests will continue to be entertained by the band.

Join the Wells Branch email discussion group for a community conversation on any and everything! Find out what’s going on with Wells Branch as it’s happening – everything from ducks, composting and crime watch to history and gardening. All residents, homeowners and renters alike are welcome. New topics are always popping up. Don’t miss out!

To join the group, send an email to the moderators at wbneighbors@gmail.com, subject line: Request to Join.  The request must include your name and physical address.  The Group Administrator can then add you.

Once you’re subscribed to the group, you should add “wells-branch-neighbors@googlegroups.com” to your contact list. Whenever you wish to communicate with your neighbors, simply send an email to this address and your email will be broadcast to all members. When responding to an email: “reply” goes to the sender of the email and “reply to all” goes out to everyone.

Send your request today!

We’ve listed a few other important sites to help get you connected.  Additional links may be found on both the WBNA and MUD websites.  Both sites have contact information and welcome your suggestions and input.

Wells Branch Community Library • www.wblibrary.org

Wells Branch MUD • www.wellsbranchmud.com

Follow the Library, WBNA and WB MUD on Facebook.  WBNA features photos of all the Wells Branch events and encourages neighbors to share their pictures as well.

We may be in Texas, but we’re still vulnerable to destructive winter weather.  Here are tips to protect your water system from winter blasts.

Before a freeze:

• Wrap all exposed pipes located outside or in unheated areas of your home.
• Remove garden hoses from outside faucets.  Insulate the faucet with a Styrofoam cover, rags, disposable diaper or paper.
• Cover vents around the foundation of your house.
• Know where your property’s water cut-off valve is located and know how to use it.

Tommie’s Plumbing in Jonesborough offers reliable plumbing services that can help prepare and protect your plumbing system for the upcoming winter season. If you need emergency plumbing services, then make sure to contact experts like this emergency plumber royston park.

In sub-freezing weather:

• Let water drip slowly from inside faucets during a freeze.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks where pipes are along outside walls.

If you’re not going to be home:

• Cut off your water at the property’s cut-off valve and drain all outside water faucets if your house will be unoccupied for several days.
• Or leave your home heating system on at a low setting.  That may cost a few bucks, but it’s better than returning home from your holiday trip to find your carpet and furniture soaked from burst pipes.

Renters should contact the manager or landlord for more information on freeze precautions. In case of urgent plumbing issues during extreme weather, 24 hour plumbing orange is a reliable option to address emergencies promptly and ensure your home stays protected.

Source: Wells Branch Word, December 2003

Submitted by Margret Wingrove, Crossroads Utility Services

Don’t wait for a water emergency!!  Locate your water cut-off valve now and learn what causes a toilet to leak from the bottom to prevent costly home repairs. If you are unable to identify where the leak is coming from, it may be time to seek professional plumbing services. For water line repair Roanoke call Roger’s Plumbing & Trenching.

Addressing water issues before they escalate is crucial for preventing significant home damage. One key preventive measure is ensuring that your basement is properly waterproofed. Basements are particularly vulnerable to water intrusion, which can lead to structural problems and costly repairs. For drain cleaning Charlottesville services, you may contact Atlantis Plumbing, LLC..

For expert advice and solutions tailored to your needs, Visit aquamasterplumbing.com to explore comprehensive basement waterproofing services. Their specialized knowledge and cutting-edge techniques can help safeguard your home against potential water damage and ensure that your basement remains dry and protected. Taking these preventive measures will not only save you from future headaches but also contribute to the overall longevity and safety of your property.

And if you need help with tankless water heater installation, then make sure to contact the professionals for expert services.

A properly operating cut-off valve allows you to cut off water quickly should you have a leak in the house, need to work on your sprinkler system, or wish to turn off the water to your house as a precaution when traveling. Call Rare Breed Plumbing for professional plumbing services in Bountiful & Sandy, Utah.

The water shut-off valve is located between the water meter near the street and your house.  It is generally located in the ground adjacent to the meter box and should be protected by a 6” circular cover.  The handle underneath the cover should be exercised to make sure it is operable.  To verify the water valve is operable, turn on a hose bib next to the house.  Turn the house valve off and the water from the hose bib should stop flowing.  Turn the valve on and water should resume flowing from the hose bib.

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain the cut off valve.

Submitted by Bob Bauhs, WB MUD Board Director

The first 2 MUD board meetings in January will kick off the new year by seeking your opinion.

More specific information about both sessions is on the MUD web site at: www.wellsbranchmud.com.  Read the lead stories on the home page about each meeting and follow the accompanying links that will provide you with details and examples.

We hope to see you there!

Bulk Trash Drop Off • Hazardous Waste Collection Site • Drop Off for Easter Seals & Habitat for Humanity • Saturday, January 12 • 8am-5pm • MUD Maintenance Yard • 13905 Thermal

Here’s your chance to clean out that garage or shed before the weather gets really nasty! Bring your old batteries, oil, paint, and antifreeze to the WB MUD Maintenance Facility at 13905 Thermal Drive, Saturday, January 12, from 8am-5pm. The MUD is providing a trailer and staff to transport these items to the Hazardous Waste Facility in far South Austin as part of our continued Keep Wells Branch Beautiful efforts.

There are restrictions as to what can be collected and transported. Oil, paint and anti-freeze need to be in closed containers.  If bringing car or boat batteries, a cardboard box would be appreciated (but not necessary).  We cannot take light bulbs, fertilizer or other chemicals at this time.

In addition to the usual bulky trash collection, Ed & Kay Peterson have arranged to have a manned truck from Habitat for Humanity on-site for collection of re-usable materials.  Download a list of acceptable items here: Habitat Donation Guidelines.

Easter Seals is sending a truck at 4:30 to pick up donations of clothing, pots & pans, household goods, etc. as well.  Download a list of needed items here: Easter Seals List.

Please note:  Each Collection Site has different guidelines so what is not accepted for Habitat, may be at Easter Seals.  Likewise, paint is only accepted at the Hazardous Waste site (COA recycles and makes primer which in turn, goes back to Habitat).  Please check with volunteers on site and watch this site for more information & updates.

Questions?  Call Debby at 656-0654.

Wells Branch New Year’s Eve Extravaganza!

Monday, December 31, 8pm

Wells Branch Community Center

Come celebrate with us!  Ring in the New Year in style with your friends & neighbors without ever leaving the neighborhood!

Dance the night away at the Wells Branch Community Center on December 31 from 8:00pm to 12:30am.

Music will be provided by a DJ and he’ll be taking your requests.

The celebration is BYOB and we’ll provide set-ups, punch, snacks, and a champagne toast at midnight.

Free admission with a donation to the Food Bank.

RSVP, volunteer or ask questions at party@wbna.us or 512.656.0654.  We hope you’ll join us!

Holiday Trash Pickup Schedule Changes

Please note that due to the upcoming holidays, trash pickup service will not be available on Tuesday, December 25th, and Tuesday, January 1st. For the rest of those two weeks, the trash pickup schedule will be postponed by one day. In the meantime, if you’re planning a renovation project during this period, be sure to research some waste management tips for renovation to ensure that you dispose of any debris and materials safely and responsibly. Additionally, getting services from Ozone Skip Bin Hire would be the best option for properly disposing of waste.

Click on chart to enlarge. However, if people still want to hire trash services, they have to  get in touch with a skip hire company

Holiday Green Gold (yard waste) Pickup Schedule

During the Christmas Holidays TexaScapes is staying with the historic approved curbside compost program pickup plan. There will be no service during the week of Christmas, and normal service will resume the following week with primary pickup scheduled for Monday, December 31 and overflow pickup scheduled for Tuesday, January 1 if needed. However, if you need to transport waste, you can get in touch with a reputable skip company in Oxford and take their services.  All compostable materials should be placed at curbside by Monday morning. Christmas trees can be placed at curbside or at the east end of the Community Center Parking Lot at KF Park. People can find out more here if they need the best waste disposal services.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!