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.

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!  Join the group by going to Google Groups on your Web Browser, search for Wells Branch Neighbors, and fill out the request sheet (or use the link below). 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. Consider using software for better inbox control and to enhance your email metrics.

The site is: https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/wells-branch-neighbors, but remember, you need to belong in order to read it, so send your request today!

So we don’t have fireworks this year, so what? We still live in an amazing community.  We have so much to celebrate and be grateful for.  I say we make this the best FourthFest yet, with or without fireworks!

Let’s get in the spirit early.  Hang your flags out NOW.  Let everybody know that you’re ready to celebrate!  Meet in front of the community center at 9:30am.  The parade takes off at 10am.  If you’ve never been to one of our parades before, then you should probably know we have decorated bikes, wagons, trailers, DOGS, KIDS, hats, motorcycles and floats.  Contact Matt Fuller at 251-9814 for float approval and parade questions and also if you’re interested in volunteering at this event.   WB events are huge and the MUD always needs volunteers!

When the parade returns to the Community Center, we kick off a FULL day of events.

There’ll be children’s activities throughout the park from 11-2pm.  Come win prizes at games like beanbag toss, balloon darts, milk bottle throw, soccer sick, and washer toss.   Free admission to KF Pool and games there from 12-3pm.  The Kiddy Train will be all revved up for the Fourth and giving rides and Miss Jellybean Balloon Clown will be on hand from 11-3pm to entertain.  Caricature artists provided by Wells Branch Community Church will be in the courtyard from 11-3pm and there’ll be inflatables for the kids to play on in the park.  ALL FOR FREE!!!

Live entertainment starts at 11am and goes through 5pm under the big tent.  There’ll be music, a ventriloquist, a magician and more music!  Throughout the day, concessions will be available offering a variety of items to enjoy.  For a complete list of entertainment and food, please see below.

The Silent Auction is back this year and benefits the WBNA.  Money raised from this event helps fund the Easter Egg Hunt, National Night Out, Friday night at Luminary Fest and all of the educational and safety seminars we put on throughout the year.  Come peruse all of our goodies and start placing your bids at soon as the parade returns. Contact Debbie Brown at 422-2372 or SilentAuction@wbna.us if you have an item or service you’d like to donate.

Although we may not have fireworks, there’s still so much to do in the neighborhood to celebrate Independence Day!  Come show your spirit and remember YOU make Wells Branch GREAT!

Live Entertainment Under the Big Tent

11:00-12:30  Off the Record
1:00 – 1:45    Ian Varella, Ventriloquist
2:15 – 3:00    Gusto the Great, Magician
3:30 – 5:00   Pride and Joy

Concessions

WB MUD –roasted corn, watermelon, and funnel cakes
Wells Branch Garden Guild – Hot dogs and sausage wraps
Boy Scouts – Soft drinks, water
Cub Scouts – Ice Cream
Armada Swim Team – Popcorn
Branch BBQ – BBQ Sandwiches, chips, cookies
Chon Som – Asian cuisine
El Faro Taco – fajita tacos, horchata