What you do, support, and how you volunteer your time matters.  YOU make a difference.  WBNA is starting a series on individuals who’ve helped shape our community as we’ve grown over the years.  Many are familiar faces, always present at events, but we’ve never taken the opportunity to get to know them. Watch for upcoming articles on Dianne Koehler (Fall Issue) & WBCC (Holiday Issue).  If there’s someone you’d like to spotlight, please contact us at info@wbna.us.

We’d like to begin by recognizing Chuck Walters as a champion of our community.  Chuck celebrated his 20th year serving on the MUD Board this past May.  An original resident of Wells Branch, Chuck first ran for the board because of his interest in the trail system and strengthening Wells Branch as a community.  He worked with Texas Parks and Wildlife on three matching grants to improve our park system.  The first was for the initial trail system, the second for Willow Bend Pool and the pond, and the third was for the construction of the Recreation Center on Shoreline.

Chuck is Chairperson of the Facilities and IT Committees and serves on the Recreation Committee as well.  During his tenure, he spearheaded the Meditation Grove at the Pavilion, helped facilitate the Leslie Lane Meditation Garden and led the committee responsible for fence replacement along our major thoroughfares which not only changed the face of Wells Branch, but continues to help maintain property values for all Wells Branch residents.  Above all else, Chuck brings two decades of cumulative knowledge to the table when dealing with issues affecting our community.

As our park system has aged, we’ve lost a number of old growth trees.  Together, Chuck Walters and Bob Bauhs (Facilities) have worked with the Trees for Trails focus group over the last year to identify the areas most in need and prioritize plans for adding trees to the trail system.   The efforts of this group as a whole have encouraged an interest in preserving natural areas, stream maintenance and an increased effort to maintain Wells Branch’s natural amenities.  Whether it’s Keep Wells Branch Beautiful or neighbors gathering to clear out the invasive species in what will one day be our Natural Play Park, Chuck is there, working side by side with the rest of the community.

Chuck was instrumental in the creation of the Homestead Board to perpetuate the care and maintenance of the Gault Homestead in the event of annexation.  In addition, he has served on that board since its inception.  The Homestead is the sponsor organization for both Cub Scout Pack 140 and Boy Scout Troop 1409.  For the last twenty years, Chuck has volunteered as the Charter Organization Representative for both BSA Pack & Troop.  He also served as Den Leader for his son, Dane and as a volunteer for the Armada swim team for a number of years.  When there was a shortage of crossing guards at WBE, Chuck stepped up and was out there every morning to help children get to school safely.

Chuck has contributed financially as well with donations to the library, BSA Pack 140 and most recently Wells Branch Elementary to help pay for shade trees by the Merrilltown playground.

Always a strong supporter of the WBNA and community involvement, Chuck volunteers each year at our Easter Egg Hunt and you can always find him at our National Night Out celebration, either at the grill or with a microphone in his hand.  Chuck has always been ready to volunteer his time where needed, whenever asked and has had the honor of being Santa Claus at Luminary Fest more than anyone else in Wells Branch history.

Chuck has wholeheartedly given of himself and his time, and through his leadership has made this community even stronger.  We thank you Chuck, for all that you’ve contributed to Wells Branch.  You’ve made a difference in all our lives.

Written by Karen Mappin

The businesses within the Wells Branch tax district do more than just feed, clothe, entertain, and serve the residents.  A portion of the sales taxes collected from these businesses support our Emergency Services (Fire Dept.) and our Community Library.  So when we utilize their services, we are helping our neighborhood.   It pays to have prosperous businesses in our area.

We are starting a column that focuses on the shopping areas in our district to bring attention to the businesses with consultation from https://tradewise.community/ experts.  that are in our district.  Bratton Square at the corner of Merriltown and Bratton Lane starts the series (14735 Bratton Lane).

Bratton Square has three business categories:  food, health and wellness, and service.  We will spotlight four of the businesses that answered our call for information and list the others in each category.

Starting with food:  Longtime resident and business owner Tracy Yuan operates the Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant where we can get wonderful lunches and dinners for a reasonable price.  The best part about Four Seasons is that they deliver seven days a week.   Four Seasons offers a standard Chinese restaurant menu and will bring it right to your door if you call 251-8827.

Additionally, Mezzaluna Italian Grill is also open for lunch and dinner 6 days a week to provide some wonderful Italian food.  Owners Loretta & Carey Lynch enjoy the neighborhood atmosphere and the camaraderie that pervades the restaurant.  They have a new menu with daily specials listed on the web at www.mezzalunaaustin.com or you can call them at 252-1444.

Other food options are Polvos en La Brisa (Mexican), the Oasis (pizza and sandwiches), or Kenny’s Coffee (breakfast fare and coffee).

Bratton Square is becoming a Wells Branch mecca for health and wellness options.  Michael Massie has been a contributor to the Wells Branch Neighborhood News and owns and operates Fighting Fit Boot Camp.  Mike and his trainers can help our residents stay functionally fit by attending his fitness boot camp classes, fitness kickboxing classes, and with his weight loss coaching classes.  Yes, we’ve still got to do the work, but Mike welcomes us, regardless of our fitness level, to come in and try a class for free.  He can modify any workout to fit any fitness level and help us build from there.  So don’t be afraid of the “boot camp” name!  Come by to talk, check out the website at http://FitnessBootCampAustin.com, or call him at 512-670-9333.

After you work out with Mike, you can hop over to Massage + Yoga where Michael Parrish and Summer Greenlees will make you forget that workout or that stressful day at work.  Their barefoot massage, a technique adapted from standard massage practices, is sure to be a relaxing experience.  Alternatively, if you are into stretching and bending, the wide variety of yoga classes is bound to appeal.  Their schedule for classes or massages are on their website:  www.massageplusyoga.com.  (And don’t forget ladies spa nights on the first Friday of each month!)

For some color pampering or a new “do”, try Bratton Nails or the Shear Images hair salon.

And to round out the businesses at Bratton Square, there are several that offer different services.   The Speedy Stop (gasoline and food mart), Marvelous Mandarin (Chinese classes), Martial Arts, and Potter’s House Christian church on Sundays.

Many of the businesses in Bratton Square are avid supporters of our schools, our Boy and Girl Scout troops, our library, and our neighborhood association. They participate in events such as International Day at Wells Branch Elementary and the Fourth Fest by donating food, gift certificates, and their time and talents.   As consumers, please support our neighbors in return to keep our tax dollars working in the neighborhood and to say “thanks” with our purchasing power.  We love having them so close by!

Submitted by Siv Manda, President, Wells Branch Soccer Assn.

wbsoccer@wellsbranchsoccer.com

As another soccer season comes to a close at the Wells Branch Soccer Association (WBSA), I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words.

We’ve had yet another great season and WBSA was proud to be able to introduce a new activity – the Free Friday Skills Clinic, conducted by Coach Daniel Benito and his crew of coaches. Meanwhile, for anyone seeking a seamless and enjoyable way to place bets on soccer matches, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the user-friendly features and exciting opportunities available on sites like WSMCasino.

We have had quite a few individual team successes to brag about, however, as a club, it is also important to highlight the path to success. As part of the WBSA efforts to improve the quality of the children’s soccer experience and ongoing education for our volunteer coaches who may be new to the game, WBSA organized five free training sessions open to all WBSA players, each of the sessions were centered around the soccer “fundamentals” like dribbling, changes, passing, shooting and goalkeeping. Our coaches have been impressed with how these clinics have improved their kids’ potential and their eagerness in showing their newly learned skills such as dribbling, changes, controlling the ball and short passes. With such a good turnout and great results, we will be expanding this for Fall 2012.

I have been involved with youth soccer at WBSA as a coach, assistant coach, Registrar and now as President only for the past 3 or 4 years. It takes a lot to keep such an activity running for seasons and seasons (and WBSA has been in existence in one form or another for over 10 years). All this has only been possible with the wonderful support of the MUD Board, specially the Recreational Committee (Chuck Walters and Janet Maxey) and also the MUD management, including Jesse Kennis and Matt Fuller. At WBSA, we are extremely fortunate to have such support that helps to keep our costs low for our players!

Also, I just want to add a word of sincere appreciation to the WBSA Board Members, past and present. It is only with the foundation laid by all these folk that we’re able to continue to provide the opportunities to the Wells Branch area kids as we have. I personally would like to thank Cash Miller, Raul Johnson, Matt Gavin, Cathy Ulcak, Cary Taylor, Jeff Navarro, Rudy Metayer and many others that I know have put in their efforts to keep this going. If you want to bet on any soccer event of your choosing, platforms such as The Southern Times can be trusted.

Continue reading Wells Branch Soccer Association Update Summer 2012 →