Hope you and yours had a safe and Happy Halloween!!  Thanks go out to all who participated in the WB MUD’s first “Trunk or Treat”.  Halloween photos are up and more are coming!  Check out our page – here’s the link –  WBNA Facebook – “Like us” and share your Halloween pictures too!  Thanks go to Madonna Johnson for taking pictures for us!

Whether you’ve been doing the “right thing” all along and following our water schedules or just want to learn more about water conservation, we have a sign for you.  These signs provide an educational opportunity and conversation piece and can help create that culture of conservation that is so important to us all.

They can be used no matter what stage of water conservation we’re in – whether we’re watering 1x per week or 2x per week or not at all and they can also be stored and used during our next dry cycle (just in case it starts raining right after we get them).

Thanks go to Donna Howe and her work with the Central Texas Water Efficiency Network for this opportunity to help the WBNA get the word out to all our neighbors!

To receive your FREE sign, email WBConserves@wbna.us

For more information, see:  www.texaswaterfoundation.org

Submitted by Joy Smith

It’s that time of the year again, with TV ads for various Medicare supplement and alternative plans flooding the airwaves. Younger people under 65 may find these ads annoying, similar to the barrage of political ads during election time. But for those 65 and above, it’s tough to navigate the information and sort through claims to find the best healthcare option, especially after last year’s healthcare reforms. However, if a patient goes to Richmond Hill urgent care, they don’t have to go anywhere else for treatment as they have all the necessary facilities to diagnose emergencies.

For the “under-age” folks, what’s going on is that there is an annual open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage programs and Part D prescription drug plans.  If “seniors” (those eligible for enrollment in Medicare) do not choose to enroll in either of these two programs during this period…this year, October 15 through December 7….they lose their opportunity to do so until the open enrollment period next year, except for very specific situations. Medicare supplement plans are not impacted by these dates (you can sign up for or switch supplement plans anytime.)

Continue reading What you don’t know about Medicare may cost you more than money →

Submitted by Shelley Palmer

I’ve been thinking about trees and water or lack of it.  Folks have been so conscientious about conserving water that they’ve just stopped watering and I think that’s probably the right thing to do with the turf grasses but we should all be keeping the trees alive if we can.   I’m seeing a lot of dying or dead trees and that is just way sad if just a watering every two weeks might keep it alive. Those who need professional tree services Greensboro may contact General Tree Service, Inc..

Hand watering is OK anytime and that’s what I’ve been doing with my trees (at night, of course).  If you see that a neighbor has trees that are croaking, you might say something to them also.  It’s a lot to lose – a 20 year old tree – or even a year old tree.  This is just my two bits as the tree situation is making me very depressed….. The City of Austin arborist site is where I got the “water every two weeks” bit and they’re on the same bent as I as far as doing the minimum to just keep them alive til the drought breaks…

To download the City of Austin’s Guide for Watering Distressed Trees, click HERE.  For more information on tree care,  please visit:  http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/trees/

Please visit our gardening pages under ‘Community’ for information on lawn care during drought and drought resistant landscaping.

Please remember that even during drought, you can water responsibly and still maintain a neat, well-kept yard.  It may take a little more effort than in years past, but maintaining our property values is worth it.  St. Augustine grass doesn’t go dormant – it dies.  If you’ve lost your yard to the summer heat and lack of water, you may want to consider overseeding with Rye grass for the winter.  This will help keep your soil intact and hopefully, ward off the mud pits when the rains (hopefully) come this winter.  You might also consider seeding with a drought tolerant Bermuda in the spring, once again for soil retention, and to cut down on weeds.  For more info on drought proof landscapes and grasses that can survive our summers,  see “Community” => “Gardening in Wells Branch”

Many of you will recognize Corporal Kevin Aigner’s familiar face.  He worked off duty for the MUD patrolling our parks on weekends and during special events.  An outstanding officer, he was an even greater human being.  Kevin was a kind, caring man who showed concern for everyone he met.  He served with the Travis County Constable’s Office and helped get the Explorer Post off the ground almost two years ago.  Allison Scott, 17, Lieutenant for Explorer Post 711, had this to say about “Aigner”, “In the 18 months or so that I have worked with the Constables Office as an Explorer, I have met some amazing people.  Corporal Kevin Aigner exemplified that, whether it was the way he cared about everyone he met, or the way he worked until the job was done.  My favorite thing about him was his smile.  I’m not known for my jokes, but he’d always laugh or at least smile.  The world is a better place for having him, and I’m a better person for having known him.”  This pretty much sums it up for all of us who knew Kevin.  We will miss your smile.  Peace be with you.

Todd Wortham, our friend, neighbor and pastor of Wells Branch Community Church, left us to be with the Lord Saturday morning while on a mission trip in Joplin, Missouri.  Please join us in praying for his wife, Cassi, and children as well as his church family.

Todd, you’ve touched so many of our lives here in Wells Branch in such a short time.  We’ve been blessed to have you as a part of our community and will miss you greatly.

From Wells Branch Community Church regarding services:

We will celebrate the life of Todd Wortham with a Visitation / Family Night Thursday, August 18th from 5-8 PM at Hill Country Bible Church Pflugerville and with a Celebration Service 11AM Friday morning, August 19th at Hill Country Bible Church North West.

There is a facebook group for remembering Todd at:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/188886891178375/

Wortham Family Memorial Fund
c/o Wells Branch Community Church
1779 Wells Branch Pkwy, 110B-306
Austin, TX 78728

Jackie Gabbart is going to take on being the point person for communication during this time, to allow Cassi time with her family in mourning.   As soon as we have more information we will post it at www.wellsbranchchurch.com and On The City.  If you can’t find what you’re looking for there you can email Jackie at jackie_gabbart@yahoo.com or call her cell @ 512-963-7780.

We’d like to thank our community for supporting the WBNA in our fundraising efforts.  The following individuals and businesses donated generously to our Silent Auction, which was held on July 4^th.  Its purpose was to raise enough money to pay for National Night Out, the annual Easter Egg Hunt,  Friday night at Luminary Fest in December and to help with our educational/safety programs.  We exceeded our goal!  Thanks to all of you who participated in the Silent Auction.  Whether you were a donor or buyer, you all made a tremendous difference and the WBNA is grateful!

When you see the neighbors listed below, please thank them for supporting our community.  In addition, we hope you’ll patronize these businesses and join us on October 4^th for Wells Branch’s National Night Out Against Crime.