Celebrate the holidays Wells Branch Style!

Neighborhood News

candle-holly-1Holiday traditions in Wells Branch continue to grow.  We hope you’ll take this opportunity to reconnect with family, friends and neighbors and reach out to new folks who’ve recently joined our community.  To all the regulars, we look forward to seeing you and if you’ve never attended a community event here, please make time to come and join your neighbors in the festivities.

Wells Branch Holiday Celebration Weekend! • December 13-15

We have a fun-filled holiday weekend planned for December 13-15 in Wells Branch as several of our community organizations have joined together to host holiday events.

Luminary Festival • December 13 & 14

Experience the glow of the holidays as our trails light up with luminaries around Katherine Fleischer Park on December 13 & 14.  Once again, the WBNA will be hosting Friday night’s events and the Wells Branch MUD will host Saturday evening.  Santa will be visiting the Homestead Cabin both nights from 6-9pm with FREE photos provided again this year by WB Community Church.

Craft tables will be set up Friday night inside the Community Center and children will have the opportunity to make jewelry boxes for gifts, decorate ornaments, and color.  Dianne Koehler, the women of WB of WB and numerous volunteers will be on hand to assist the children with crafts and keep refreshments flowing.

Join us outdoors for a caroling hayride or a trip around the trails on our holiday express train to see the luminaries up close.  This year, we’ll be starting the hayride and train at 5:30pm so bring the little ones and come early.  There will be plenty of time to do the hayride, train and still get to the library for Pajamarama oornamentsn Friday night!

Saturday night, the MUD will have live entertainment from Jessica Shepherd inside the Community Center and a Holiday Dance Program.  There will also be live entertainment outside both nights and indoor refreshments for all to enjoy in the CC. Times are to be announced, so keep an eye out on the website www.wellsbranchmud.com for performance dates and times.

Polar Express Pajamarama • December 13

train1All aboard, for WBCL’s yearly Polar Express Pajamarama!  Friends of the Library will sponsor Polar Express Pajamarama at Wells Branch Community Library on Friday, December 13 at 6:00pm & 7:30pm.  Enjoy holiday crafts, hot cocoa and cookies, a bedtime reading of The Polar Express and a special visit from Santa!  Advance online registration required. Registration begins November 30th.

logo-lightsHoliday Home Decorating Contest is BACK!

Break out the tinsel and holly! Deck the halls, yard, trees, cars, dogs, cats…You get the picture! Let’s show some good ole WB spirit! The WBNA is bringing back the Holiday Home Decorating Contest! Due to uncooperative weather the last couple of weekends, judging will be on Sunday, December 15 to give everyone a little extra time to decorate. YOU STILL HAVE TIME!

Holiday Best Use of LightsA $50 gift card to Lowes will be awarded to each winner, photos will be featured on the WBNA website and Facebook page and signs will be placed in the winning yards.

If you’d like to help judge or nominate a home (to make sure we don’t miss it), email lights@wbna.us.

Be sure and watch for the “Winners” as we post signs in their yards! Categories include: Most Original, Most Traditional, Most Elaborate, Best Use of Lights, and Most Energy Efficient.

Santa Head copyNorthwest Elementary Breakfast with Santa • December 14

A holiday tradition, Northwest Elementary once again hosts Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 14 from 9am-Noon.  The PTO will be serving a pancake breakfast with sausage and orange juice for $3.  They’ll have a market set up inside with vendors and craft tables, and don’t forget the best part:  a visit with Santa! 

Christmas on Angel Street • December 15

 A modern musical theatre parable for people of all ages reaffirms the TRUE meaning of giving and is scheduled for presentation at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (14311 Wells Port Dr. at Wells Brach Pkwy) at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2013.

Christmas on Angel Street tells the story of two children who are orphans who live alone in a room behind the local hardware store.  Their only means of support is money made by the older sibling by selling newspapers at the corner of Angel St. and Grand.  The older sibling wants to find money to purchase a special Christmas present for the younger sister.  This situation leads them to involvement with The Colonel and the members of the Angel Street Gang, and subsequently to an encounter with a kind and loving gentleman and his daughter which teaches a profound moral lesson that will stay with the two children for the rest of their lives.

This original musical was written by Conne Cross Smith and Tom Mitchell.  Tom currently serves as Director of Music Ministry at St. Andrew’s.  The presentation is offered as a gift to our community without admission charge.  We will be having cookies & hot chocolate after the presentation.  We hope you will join us in celebrating Christmas in Wells Branch!

WBNA New Year’s Eve Party Survey • YOUR Input is Needed!

Neighborhood News

Glass colorWBNA would like to say:

Join your neighbors & friends to dance the night away and ring in the New Year in style without leaving the neighborhood!

BUT we NEED YOUR RESPONSE before we can plan anything!

The last two years, the WBNA has hosted a New Year’s Eve Party for the residents of Wells Branch in the Community Center on Klattenhoff.

What we’ve provided in the past:

 Live DJ • Music • Light Show

Food • Punch • Set-ups (BYOB)

Champagne Toast at Midnight

Decorations • Party Favors

*Friends & Family welcome

Our idea was to offer a safe, fun event close to home.  Each year, we’ve had 50-60 neighbors in attendance.  We need YOUR input on whether or not we should host an event again this year and if so, what you’d like to see.  Several decisions need to be made QUICKLY.

WBNA is an all VOLUNTEER organization and although tentative reservations have been made, we need at least 50 positive responses before it will be CONSIDERED.  We also need folks to offer up a little bit of their time to help plan, decorate/set-up the day of and/or clean up on January 1.  It needs to be a COMMUNITY Party.

Below is a link to a VERY SHORT survey.  We invite each of you to weigh in and if you have neighbors who might not be aware of this event, please invite them to voice their opinions.  We need your response by midnight, December 8.

WBNA New Year’s Eve Party Survey!

Thank you for participating!

– Your WBNA Board

Holiday Safety Tips

Neighborhood News, Neighborhood Safety

With the bustle of the holidays just around the corner, now is the time to make sure we’re taking every Santa Sneaky on Roof Colorprecaution to keep our homes and ourselves as safe as possible. While focusing on safety, it’s also essential to address any potential vulnerabilities in your home, such as the condition of your roof. Quality roofing companies like Mighty Dog Roofing can help ensure that your home is well-protected during the festive season and throughout the year. We usually see an increase in opportunistic crime this time of year; we need to be especially vigilant.

Keep your blinds and drapes closed when away, even if only for a short period of time.

Keep your house well lit at night (backyard included).  A motion sensor activated light is an inexpensive deterrent.

If your Christmas tree is displayed in front of a window, don’t pile the presents around it.  Store the gifts in another area away from view when the blinds or drapes are open.

Do NOT put the empty boxes for the new computer, TV, stereo system, etc. on the curb for the trash.  Take the time to break down every box and put it inside your trashcan/recycling bin so that it is concealed, even if you have to hold it over to the next week.  People start cruising our neighborhood on Sunday afternoons to see what has been put out.  The less they know, the better.

Door-to-door solicitations increase tremendously this time of year.  Always look out the window or peephole before opening the door or answering a knock.  Never open the door all the way, especially if you have a Christmas tree and/or presents in plain view.

While shopping this holiday season, remain aware of your surroundings at all times.  If unsure of your safety, ask a store attendant to have security walk you to your car.  You can’t be too safe.  This goes for trips to the grocery store as well.  When unloading your car at home after a day of shopping, lock it between trips to and from the car. Exploring online shopping platforms? Consider giving Shoppok a go. We’ve had some great finds there.

There has been an increase in car break-ins in Travis County in the last few months.   Don’t leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked.  Take them in the house or put them in the trunk out of sight BEFORE arriving at your destination. If you’re eyeing your dream car, consider checking out lone star title loans for a potential avenue to make that dream a reality. Planning to buy a car? With so many dealerships offering used cars in el cajon, buyers have plenty of choices. For those looking to sell their vehicles, services offering cash for cars in Seven Hills provide a quick and hassle-free way to get a great deal. Comparing prices and features can help you find the best option.

Always lock your car.   Never leave your car running unattended or leave your keys in the car or ignition. If you accidentally locked your keys inside the car, call https://247autolocksmith.co.uk/ for help.  If you keep a garage door remote control in your car and don’t park it in the garage each and every time you return home, hide the remote. Thieves check visors and this gives them instant protected access to your home. Consider visiting a used car dealer in lansing to find the perfect vehicle that suits your needs and budget.

If you plan to be away:

  • Let a neighbor and/or block captain know you’ll be out of town and when you’ll return.  They should have the following: your emergency contact information; contact information for anyone with access to your house (pet sitter, etc.); when they should be expected; what they look like and a description of their vehicle(s).
  • Let only those who NEED to know, know when you are going out of town.
  • Don’t share vacation plans on social media.
  • Arrange to have your lawn cared for if you are going to be away.
  • Don’t hide keys under doormats or flowerpots or in similar places.
  • Put your lights, stereo or TV on timers.
  • Leave a car in the driveway or ask a neighbor to park in it.
  • Don’t cancel your paper or mail deliveries; ask that your neighbor pick them up every day.
  • Leave a key with a friend or neighbor; ask that the house be checked at regular intervals.
  • Keep your house well lit at night (backyard included).  A motion sensor or photocell activated light is an inexpensive deterrent.
  • Store all your valuables.
  • Consider asking friends or relatives to live in your home while you are away.
  • Ask your neighbor to put trash in your trashcan and to put it out for collection and away when they put theirs away.
  • File a Close Patrol Request.  The filing of this form alerts patrolling officers so that they may pay close attention to one’s residence.  To do so: Contact the Travis County Sheriff’s Office at 854-9721.  Ask to make a Close Patrol Request.  You will be asked for information on those caring for your home while you’re away i.e. make and model of their vehicles, name, description and times they should be at your home.

A comprehensive list of Safety Tips as well as numerous articles by the Travis County Sheriff Deputies are available under our “Safety” tab.   If you are not already, become a Wells Branch Neighborhood Association member.  “Like” us on Facebook for community updates.  The more community involvement and connectedness there is, the safer we all will be.

Most of all, be aware of your surroundings and look out for your neighbors.  If you see or hear something suspicious, call 911.  The Sheriff’s Department would much rather answer a false alarm than deal with a tragedy later.

We live in a GREAT community AND a SECURE neighborhood.  Let’s all do our part to keep it that way.  Here’s to a safe and happy holiday season!

*For information about starting your own Neighborhood Watch Group, please call Debby Thompson at 512-656-0654 or Tom Cheshire at 512-913-3144.