Water, Mosquito Control, Native Plants

Insight from Wells Branch Wild Conservancy

As the temperature rises during the hot Texas summer months, gardeners know that it becomes a challenge to keep the plants alive while conserving water. The presence of mosquitoes in our yards and parks is another challenge that faces everyone. Fortunately, native plants offer a great solution. Native plants are adapted to the local climate which make them ideal for hot summers and mild winters. Once established, they are drought tolerant due to deep roots that allow them to withstand longer periods without water, thus reducing the need for constant irrigation. Examples include yuccas, salvias, agaves, mistflowers, and turk’s caps.

In addition to using native plants the following options are available to save water. 1) Use drip irrigation such as soaker hoses instead of sprinklers to minimize evaporation during irrigation. 2) Harvest rainwater from the roof by collecting it in barrels and use it for watering. 3) Apply organic mulch around plants to retain moisture and control weeds. 4) If you have an irrigation system, check for leaks and only irrigate according to the schedule determined by WB’s MUD.

Native plants can also help with mosquito control by acting as mosquito-repellents. Plants to select include lantana, lavender, bee balm, and sage. Non-native plants to consider include rosemary, garlic, marigold, citronella grass, lemongrass, basil, catnip, eucalyptus, and mint. Due to climate change mosquitoes are appearing earlier in the spring and even breeding into the winter in Texas. We want to prevent mosquito bites as these insects may carry a variety of diseases such as the West Nile fever.

Other natural methods to control mosquitoes include: 1) Remove standing water and regularly clean out features that require water, such as bird baths to eliminate breeding grounds. 2) Cover water storage containers or use mesh smaller than a mosquito. 3) Consider installing lightning that mosquitoes are not attracted to such as LED in outdoor spaces. 4) Sprinkle used coffee grounds on areas where there had been drainage problems to deprive eggs of oxygen. 5) Attract natural predators such as birds, frogs, and dragon flies by providing them habitats. 6) Use an outdoor fan on the patio or deck as mosquitoes are not very strong flyers. 7) Use mosquito dunks in a bucket of water to make a mosquito trap to kill off mosquito larvae instead of fogging, because fogging also kills other insects.

For personal protection, use insect repellent, wear light loose fitted clothes with long sleeves and long pants. For added security, consider pest control bloomington to address potential pest issues around your home.

You should also watch out for signs of pest infestations inside your home. If you discover bed bugs in your home, you may need to seek bed bug preparation services from www.advancedbbp.com/.

Heat Stroke:  Know the Signs

Pflugerville Fire / Travis Co ESD No.2

During hot and humid weather, your body has a harder time cooling.  When the body heats up too quickly to properly cool itself – or when too much fluid/salt is lost through sweating or dehydration – the victim may suffer heat exhaustion or heat stroke which is very serious.  Below are tips on preventing heat stroke, recognizing its symptoms, and first aid. And remember: never leave kids, pets, or disabled adults alone in parked cars … not even for a few minutes!  Have a safe and enjoyable summer everybody.

PREVENTING HEAT STROKE

• Slow down! Reduce, cancel or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day
• Even if you don’t feel thirsty, proactively bring and drink plenty of water (not very cold) or other non-alcoholic, decaffeinated fluids
• Prevent sunburn through sunscreen, sunhats, and minimizing direct exposure to the sun; a sunburn reduces your body’s ability to cool down
• Dress in lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight
• Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salad
• Take a cool bath or shower
• Spend time in air-conditioned locations
• When the room temperature is hotter than 90°, don’t direct the flow of portable electric fans toward you because the dry, blowing air may further dehydrate you

 HEAT STROKE SYMPTOMS

• Altered mental state or confusion
• Hot, red, dry, or moist skin
• One or more of these symptoms: dizziness, throbbing headache, nausea, shallow breathing
• Rapid and strong pulse
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Body temperature 103°F or greater

FIRST AID FOR HEAT STROKE

• Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency! Call 9-1-1 or get the victim to a hospital immediately
• Get to a cooler setting, preferably air-conditioned
• Do not give fluids
• Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or a bath •  Use a fan only IF the heat index is BELOW the high-90s

Celebrate Independence Day
the Wells Branch Way at 4thFest!

4th Fest is brought to you by the WB MUD Recreation Department—Thank you!

Roll out the Red, White & Blue!
Let’s show our Wells Branch Spirit. 

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 get ready to see lots of decorated bikes, wagons, trailers, DOGS, KIDS, hats, motorcycles and floats.  It’s a grand event!  If you wish to include a float in this year’s parade, please contact the WB MUD Program & Events Coordinator at 512-251-9814.

2024 Parade Route (Departs at 10am)

Facing west on Klattenhoff Dr. => Right on Alpha Collier
=> Right on Fronia Woodward => Right on Cervin Blvd.
=> Right on Wells Port Dr. => Right on Crystal Shore
=> Right on Klattenhoff Dr. => Return to KF Park

When the parade returns to the Community Center, we kick off a day of fun events.  There’ll be children’s activities throughout the park until 2:00pm and free admission to KF Pool with games there from 1:00-4:00pm.  The Kiddy Train will be all revved up and giving rides, there’ll be balloon clowns and face painting in the courtyard, and inflatables and a rock wall in the park until 2pm.  Be sure and capture a moment in the 4thFest photo booth.  Live entertainment starts at 10:30am under the Big Tent behind the Community Center with the band, Soul Shack. Cool off inside the CC, visit the WBNA Silent Auction or stop by the Library table for a tattoo. ALL FOR FREE!

Concessions will be available from local restaurants and community service groups offering a variety of items to enjoy. Finish up the day with fireworks at 9:00pm at the Rec Center on Shoreline.

WBNA 4thFest Silent Auction

Tuesday, July 4 | 9:00am – 2:00pm
WB Community Center | 2106 Klattenhoff Drive

Get ready to be dazzled at the 2024 WBNA Silent Auction during WB 4thFest! Proceeds benefit the entire community. Monies raised help to fund the Easter Egg Hunt, National Night Out and Pumpkin Patch/Painting along with our participation in WB MUD Halloween Trunk or Treat and Luminary Fest. We also host several educational and safety seminars throughout the year.

Check out the amazing selection of gift baskets and certificates, goods and services donated by Wells Branch friends, neighbors, and businesses! Online bidding began June 21 and ends on July 2 at noon. Check out all the spectacular goods and services at 32auctions.com/WBNA4thFest2024

In person bidding will take place from 9:00am to 2:00pm, July 4th. Here are some bidding tips to ensure your success. Remember you MUST have a bidder number to place a bid. Check in at the registration desk,  it only takes a minute. Please note that the auction closes in stages, starting at 1:15pm. Event staff will be ready to help with the “Buy Now” option for any item.

Contact Margaret Sufke at 512-341-0428 or SilentAuction@wbna.us if you have an item or service you’d like to donate or if you’d like to volunteer.  We can ALWAYS use a hand. Volunteers are welcome and very much needed!

A 4thFest Request from St. Andrew’s: Our food bank supplies are running low and our Pantry Program is busier than ever. As you head out to watch the parade, go to the WB MUD outdoor activities or head to the WBNA Silent Auction, please consider bringing a canned good or dry pantry item. We will have a collection table set up in the Community Center lobby. Thank you for your support.

Fireworks Location Reminder

Brought to you by the WB MUD Parks & Rec. Dept.

WB MUD will launch the July 4th fireworks display from the soccer field/detention pond on Shoreline Drive between the Rec. Center and Fire Station.

Please refer to the map to the right for designated seating areas.  We suggest being in your seats by 9pm, as the fireworks begin at dark (around 9:30pm).

Although parking is available along the street and in the Willow Bend Pool parking lot, the number of spaces are limited, so we encourage all that can, to walk or ride bikes.

Please come early, bring your blankets, chairs, coolers and bug spray.

Don’t forget to clear your area and pick up your trash when you leave. Thank you!

Questions? Call the MUD Rec Center at 512-251-9814.

REMINDER:  PLEASE UPDATE YOUR PET’S
MICROCHIP INFO and MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THEIR COLLAR & TAGS!

Every year we see an increase in lost pets around the 4th of July, as they try to escape the noise and confusion of fireworks.

IF YOU FIND A LOST PET please TEXT the Wells Branch microchip scanner volunteer at (512) 270-1026 for a free scan, or take the pet to your nearest fire station, vet office, or pet supply store such as Petsmart or Petco to have them scanned.

Please post on the Wells Branch Lost and Found Pets page on Facebook, Austin Lost & Found Pets, Pflugerville Lost & Found Pets, Nextdoor, and the Wells Branch Google Group.

Fireworks Safety

Pflugerville Fire / Travis Co ESD No.2

Every year around July 4th and New Year’s Eve, we are often asked the question, “Are fireworks legal around here?” The answer depends on where you are located!

In unincorporated Travis County outside of city limits, fireworks generally are legal, but THERE ARE SEVERAL LIMITATIONS, some of which are listed below. Call the the Sheriff’s dispatch number (512) 974-0845 then press OPTION 3 for fireworks issues in unincorporated Travis County.

• Fireworks cannot be used on public roadways.
• Fireworks cannot be used on school district property.
• Fireworks cannot be used within 600 feet of any church, a licensed child-care center, a hospital, or a public or private school or higher-education facility unless the person received written permission from that organization.
• Fireworks are illegal in Travis County parks.
• Fireworks are illegal to use on Wells Branch Municipal Utility District (MUD) property, which includes all MUD facilities, parks, trails, greenbelts, the Pond, drainage detention areas, the veloway, and the grassy area located at Robert I. Walker and Charla Circle.
• For all other properties, you must get written permission from the property owner to light any personal fireworks – even if it’s a commercial property not in use at nighttime.

Even where fireworks are legal, they are risky to use and cause many fires and injuries around the U.S.!  The safest legal way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professional fireworks show, such as the Pfirecracker Pfestival in Pflugerville or the 4th Fest in Wells Branch. Here are a few other fireworks safety tips:

Make Fireworks a Family Activity

• Before the holiday, make a point to discuss fireworks safety with everyone in your family to decrease the chance of someone getting hurt.
• Never let children purchase fireworks without parents there — even older kids.
• Insist on adult supervision whenever fireworks are being lit – even for older kids. Children age 10 to 14 years old actually receive the second-highest number of fireworks burns and injuries, right behind preschoolers and toddlers!
• Kids who are younger than kindergarten-age should never be allowed to hold any fireworks on their own, including sparklers. Sparklers reach temperatures hot enough to melt metal. Give little kids glow-sticks instead! Pass the sparklers to much older kids and adults to carefully light ONE at a time – ideally wearing gloves. Check out this PSA from the Texas State Fire Marshal https://bit.ly/SparklersScary

Respect Vets, Pets, and Neighbors

• Keep in mind that the sound of fireworks can be very stressful for some veterans and others who experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It also scares many dogs and other pets.
• When a holiday falls on a weeknight, remember that most people will be getting up early the next day and go to work. Please respect your neighbors’ work schedule.
• Fireworks are poisonous to pets. Be sure not to leave behind any used fireworks where pets (yours or someone else’s) spend time.
• You must get written permission from the property owner to light any personal fireworks there – even if the property is currently vacant.

Preparing to Light Fireworks

• Only light fireworks OUTSIDE on a flat surface that’s far from any homes or buildings. Don’t light fireworks near dry grass or leaves – you can catch them on fire.
• Before you light a firework, take a good look around to be sure there aren’t any people or pets in range of possibly getting hurt.
• Don’t lean over firework devices or place your hand over them when lighting. Immediately back up as far as you can after lighting! The body parts that suffer the most fireworks injuries are fingers, hands, eyes, face, and ears.

Safely Disposing of Fireworks

• Don’t try to re-light fireworks that didn’t work on the first try!
• Thoroughly soak all fireworks, even the ones that did not work, in a bucket of water or with a hose before putting in the trash.

2024 Silent Auction Donations Needed

Looking for treasures? The WBNA Silent Auction is coming up faster that you think! The annual auction is our BIG fundraiser and takes place during the WB MUD 4th Fest celebration on July 4th. Monies raised help to fund the various WBNA community events: the Easter Egg Hunt, National Night Out, Pumpkin Painting and our participation in WB MUD Halloween Trunk or Treat, and the crafts at Luminary Fest as well as on-going town hall meetings, candidate forums and safety awareness sessions throughout the year.

Donating to the WBNA Silent Auction is a GREAT way to promote your business and give back to our community! We are seeking donations of merchandise, gift cards/certificates, themed baskets, and service certifcates to auction. In return, you will receive exposure for your business at the live auction and on the auction website. The online auction has a rotating featured item section along with item details and links to your site. There’s also a special “Thank You” section in the September issue of this newsletter. If you have items or services to donate please email us at silentauction@wbna.us.

Along with support from our local businesses, services, and Austin area attractions, we would LOVE donations from community friends and family. Neighbors through the years have put together some awesome baskets with themes such as “Summer Fun”, “Game Night”, “Movie Night”, “Italian Feast”, “Date Night”, “Kids Fun”…. use your imagination!

We will begin accepting donations Friday, May 10. Donations to be included in the online auction must be received by June 18. Live auction donations will be gratefully accepted through June 30. We would also like to welcome the return of baked goods donations, please contact Margaret Sufke, 512-341-0428, for details.

Volunteers Needed

We are actively seeking event volunteers to help solicit items, prepare the baskets and/or work the auction. If you have any empty baskets leftover from last year, we’d love to have them! Please email us at silentauction@wbna.us and watch for the link to the event volunteer site.

Silent Auction Details

We are excited to run the auction during WB MUD 4th Fest. 2024 marks the 4th year of our special hybrid format with the online auction followed by a “live” event for the final bids on July 4th. The LIVE event will be at the heart of WB MUD 4th Fest in the Community Center from 9:00am – 2:00pm. The online auction will go live the week before. Watch the WB Google Group, our website, and the WBNA Facebook page for updates. An auction link will be included in the next issue of the Neighborhood News.

Friday, June 21: The Silent Auction site goes live!
Monday, July 1: The online site closes and we transition all active bids to the live event.
Thursday, July 4: The LIVE auction opens at 9:00am and the final tables close at 2:00pm.
Online Buy-It-Now purchases may be collected at anytime between 9:00am and 5:00pm on Thursday, July 4.
***Please note: the Silent Auction will be closed from 2:00pm – 3:00pm on July 4 for tallying of bid sheets.
Payments and Pick Up for winning on-site bids will available from 3:00pm – 5:00pm on Thursday, July 4 and on Friday, July 5 from 12:00 – 5:00pm in the WB Community Center, 2106 Klattenhoff Drive.

May is Motorcycle Safety MonthA Day in the Life of a Rider —
In Memory of Dzavier Luna

by Dzavier’s Mom

It’s 6am, you flop out of your large beds with integrated screens with plenty of time to get ready for work. You suit up for your ride to work, physically and mentally. You have to prepare a little more than usual. It’s misting outside. Your means of transportation is a Honda Rebel 300. At 23 years old you don’t have the credit nor the income to buy a car.

You put on your boots, helmet and gloves while mentally priming for the cold, wet ride and the impending scrimmage to be seen by other drivers. On your way to work, the person behind you is following so closely you could almost shake their hand. As they finally speed around you, you are impolitely given the middle finger, no consideration of the need for extra caution on a slick, wet road.

You get through a 10-hour shift, time to suit back up and get home. Cruising on the highway, you narrowly escape being hit with a shovel that flew off the back of a truck. The shovel nicked your back tire, so you pull over to make sure your bike is still intact. This is just one day of many.

Over time, you trade your bike in for a bigger, louder bike. You change the muffler to make your bike louder so that people will hear, the horn is just not sufficient in getting drivers attention. If a family member gets involved in a motorcycle accident,, you may help them contact a motorcycle accident attorney. In the aftermath of a serious accident, having a trusted lawyer like Athens GA car accident attorney by your side can ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve. If the accident leads to serious injuries due to improper medical care, it may also be important to consult a medical malpractice lawyer to explore your legal options. A seasoned San Diego medical malpractice attorney can help you navigate complex legal proceedings to hold negligent medical professionals accountable.

You start attending paramedic classes at night, another destination added to your daily drive. Added time on the road equals a higher chance of being hit by a rogue landscaping utensil and of course a lot more dodging of preoccupied drivers. Riding a bike
as your daily transportation takes adjustments, you get used to it.

Thanksgiving is here, you get a couple extra days off. Your family is on the agenda for the morning. Time well spent, play fighting with your 3-year-old nephew who adores you. He’s yelling your name to assist him in chasing his dad, your brother and best friend. Afternoon rolls around, it’s time to pick up your girlfriend and spend time at her family’s house. Ready for your second helping of stuffing, you hop on your bike for a quick, relaxing
ride.

An hour later your girlfriend calls your mom because you have not arrived. Your mom calls your brother because maybe you took the scenic route and ended up somewhere with
him. Your brother calls you, no answer. Your girlfriend is adamant that something is wrong, your GPS location has shown you at the same intersection for an hour and you’re  unresponsive.

At 4:41 p.m. three state troopers knock on your family’s front door. They hand your mother a cell phone and wallet while giving the worst news of her whole life. Making it the worst day of her whole life. NOTHING could be worse than this. EVERYONE’S lives and
hearts are destroyed.

What should your big brother say to the 3-year-old that was just throwing his arms around your neck and begging you to spin him? This was the end of your life and the beginning of the trauma your family has to endure.

My son made a choice to ride a motorcycle as a cheaper and fun means of transportation. Like most experienced riders, Dzavier understood the vulnerability of riding two wheels, he knew he had to be more vigilant of the drivers who are seemingly blind to motorcycles. The driver, whose actions ended his life, said they saw him but thought they could make it through the left turn. The investigating officer saw nothing that Dzavier could have done to avoid the truck. The driver was given a ticket for failure to yield ROW, nothing more. In situations like these, seeking guidance from knowledgeable truck accident lawyers can help families navigate legal complexities and pursue appropriate justice for their loved ones. A new york car accident attorney assists in filing a police report and documentation. For expert legal assistance, make sure to consider hiring this Michigan truck accident attorney. Fatal accident? An experienced fatal car accident lawyer from a law firm like Big Auto can help. In addition, having expertise from a San Diego car accident attorney will give you valuable insights that may help you handle the situation. The expert may also teach you how to read an accident report so you can better understand it.

Motorcycle safety is not just about riders wearing their helmets.
It’s about EVERYONE on the road driving conscientiously.

• Be very sure of your blind spot.
• Double-check before taking left turns and approaching Intersections.
• Eliminate distractions, be aware of your surroundings, no texting.
• Be mindful and patient.
• Know that just because motorcycles are smaller, it does not mean they can stop faster.
• Make sure any items outside the cab are strapped down tightly.
• Give motorcycles more room when you pass and follow them.

Share the road…PLEASE!  Driving is a valuable skill, well worth working on. Improvement may very well save a life.

May is the month designated for motorcycle awareness. Bike riders need to get to work, school, gym or to pick up their kids from school everyday. Drive as if YOUR child is out there letting the wind ruffle their hair, so another mother doesn’t have to arrange the cremation of their child.