WBNA | Wells Branch Neighborhood Association

The WBNA Calendar Photo Contest is back!

Attention:  The Deadline has been EXTENDED!  Please submit your entries by midnight, September 19th!  To view current submissions and vote on your favorites, please visit our Facebook Page.

The WBNA is excited to launch the 2022 Calendar Photo Contest.  We are so happy to be back!  The contest is open to the entire Wells Branch community (you must be a Wells Branch resident to enter.)  There are no age limits!  We’d love for our young photographers to share their talents.  This year’s entries will be displayed at the WB MUD Rec Center, 3000 Shoreline Drive, in the main lobby.

The 2022 contest theme is “Wells Branch: Community Spirit.”  Selected photos should reflect aspects of community spirit as seen through the events, people, and places within Wells Branch.  Get ready to capture and submit your favorite images of our wonderful neighborhood!

Be sure and vote for your favorite photos at the voting kiosk in the Rec Center lobby.  Visit the photo gallery often as the gallery is updated every few days with the latest images.  You may vote for 3 photos at a time.  Daily voting encouraged!

Basic Contest Guidelines:

• Photo submission DEADLINE has been extended to September 19, 2021.
• Each photographer may submit up to six photos.
• At least 13 photos will be chosen – one for each month and one for the cover.
• Winning month and cover photographers will receive a complimentary calendar and recognition on the WBNA  website, Facebook page, and in the WBNA Neighborhood News.
• WBNA reserves the right to adjust any deadline(s).
• The judging panel will be made up of WBNA Board members and others they appoint.
• WBNA shall determine winner eligibility in its sole and absolute discretion.  All decisions made by the judges are final.
• Winning photographers for the 2022 calendar contest will be notified by email no later than September 20, 2021.

Photo Requirements

• 8″ x 10” size.  Landscape orientation only.
• The submitting photographer is required to print each photo they submit.
• No editing will be done by the WBNA.  All photos will be inserted into a white generic mat for display/judging.
  
• Photos must be taken within the boundaries of the Wells Branch Neighborhood Association (west of I-35, east of 1325 and between Howard Ln. and Grand Avenue Pkwy.)
• Photos may be scenery, landscapes, people, places, events or activities.  It is the responsibility of the individual photographer to attain consent for photos of people.
• Past or current photos may be submitted.

How to Submit Photos

• Print up to six (6) photos per photographer and turn in to the main desk at the WB MUD Rec Center, 3000 Shoreline Dr., in an envelope clearly marked “WBNA Calendar Contest.”
• Multiple entries may be included in one envelope.  However, each photo should be accompanied by a completed entry form.
• Please fill out the online photo entry form to submit your images and print for inclusion in the packet.
• Winners must submit a finished high resolution electronic image file.

For Complete Contest Rules, click HERE.

For the Official Entry Form, click HERE.

To Pre-Order your 2022 Calendar, click HERE.

Heat Stroke:  Know the Signs

Pflugerville Fire Dept./Travis County 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. Choosing between sunscreen and moisturizer can be challenging, especially with many products claiming to offer dual benefits. It’s important to note that while some sunscreens are formulated with hydrating properties, they may not provide the same level of moisturization as a dedicated moisturizer. On the other hand, moisturizers with SPF might not offer sufficient sun protection. Therefore, understanding the nuances of sunscreen vs moisturizer can help you choose the right products for your skincare regimen.
• 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

Wells Branch Free Vaccine Clinic

Friday, September 10 | 10am-2pm
WB Community Center | 2106 Klattenhoff

STOP the spread of COVID-19 and get VACCINATED

The Travis County, Texas Mobile Vaccine Collaborative is partnering with the Wells Branch Neighborhood Association to provide a FREE vaccine clinic on Friday, September 10th!

You can make reservations online or simply WALK-IN!  It’s easy, it’s free, and it’s effective!

NOTE: Pfizer 1st shots, 2nd shots, and Booster shots* (*for those who qualify) as well as Johnson & Johnson single shot vaccinations are available.

For updated Booster qualifications, please see Reuters article: HERE

Hours: 10:00 am – 2:00pm | WB Community Center | 2106 Klattenhoff Dr.

Walk-ins are welcome – or – make reservations online: CLICK HERE

#GetVaccinated #StopTheSpreadOfCOVID19

Ofreciendo: GRATIS la vacuna de COVID-19. Johnson&Johnson o Pfizer 12 anos de edad o mayor

Hoario: 10:00am – 2:00pm

No se Requiere Cita!

To sign up in advance, follow the link below.  Once again, WALK-INS are welcome!

RESERVATIONS COVID 19 VACCINE CLINIC

Special thanks to Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea for reaching out to the WBNA and making this available to the Wells Branch Community!

Plan Ahead for Fireworks Safety

from Travis County ESD No. 2 – Pflugerville Fire Dept.

If you choose to light personal fireworks this holiday, please remember that you must get permission from the property owner – even if it’s a commercial property not in use at nighttime.

Remember that fireworks are NOT legal to use on or around schools and Travis County parks.  They’re also not legal on Wells Branch Municipal Utility District (MUD) property, which includes all MUD facilities, parks, trails, greenbelts, Mills Pond, drainage detention areas, the veloway, and the grassy area located at Robert I. Walker and Charla Circle.

But if you choose to light fireworks in a safe, legal location, Travis County ESD No. 2 (Pflugerville Fire Dept.) wants you to better understand the dangers of fireworks and work together as a family to stay safe.  Rather than risking your safety with personal  fireworks, we strongly recommend checking out a professional fireworks show.  A great option in this area is the 4th Fest in Wells Branch!

Here are other safety tips for your family:

Respect Vets and Pets

• Please respect your neighbors if you choose to light fireworks. This year, July 4th falls on a weeknight when many families will be working the next day.  Keep in mind that the sound of fireworks can be very stressful for some veterans and others who  experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We all know that managing stress can be challenging, which is why products like CBD Oil UK can provide valuable assistance. Alternatively, taking 3chi delta 9 will help you feel relaxed and improve your mood. It also scares many dogs and other pets.

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 get the second-most 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 of 1,200 degrees, which is 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.

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! Leave them alone, then thoroughly soak them in water with a bucket or hose before you try to handle them.
• Double-wrap ALL fireworks in plastic before throwing them in the trash. The same is true for a firework you find sitting on the ground that looks like it’s been used. It may still be active and could re-ignite in your hand or pocket.
• Fireworks are poisonous to pets. Symptoms may include vomiting, a painful  abdomen, and bloody diarrhea.  Be sure not to leave behind any used fireworks where pets (yours or someone else’s) spend time.

Snap, Crackle, Pop!  The WBNA 4thFest Silent Auction is back with a bang!

Fundraising is more important than ever in 2021 as we were unable to host our silent auction last year. This year’s auction will offer the best of both worlds. The WBNA will be hosting an online auction the week before the 4th with plenty of “Buy-It-Now” options followed by our customary “live” silent auction at the WB MUD Community Center on the 4th of July. We have already received an amazing collection of gifts, and are so grateful to all the community members who have donated.

More importantly, we’ve missed our neighbors and really look forward to seeing all of you on the 4th! Our hours are a little different this year as the MUD has made a few changes to the entertainment schedule, but we hope you’ll be able to stop by for a visit before or after the parade. Malone Coffee and Dream Bakery have generously donated coffee and cookies to start the day off right. Watch for the WBNA parade float and Andy the Armadillo from Texas Roadhouse and check back here for the link to the online auction once it goes live!

Online Auction:  June 25th — July 2nd, wbna.us for details
Live Final Bids:  July 4th, 9am – Noon, WBCC, 2106 Klattenhoff

May 2021 TCSO Town Hall Meeting Notes

by Margaret McGhee-Sufke, President, WBNA

First, thank you to all those who attended the May 25th Travis County Sheriff’s Office Virtual Town Hall meeting.  The meeting was very well attended with roughly 70 community members on the call.  The TCSO team noted at the end of the call that the Wells Branch session was by far, the most successful of any of the recent virtual sessions.  For those of you unable to attend, Travis County has provided us with the recent WB Crime Stats and offered an in-depth review of the questions presented by various community members.  Click HERE to read the transcript of the presentation.

At the end of the transcript, there is an excellent list of resources worth saving.  For additional information on programs offered by the TCSO Community Outreach unit, please visit:  https://www.tcsheriff.org/about/community/community-outreach-unit

In addition to the event transcript and the crime stats update, we’ve included several recent safety articles (below and here, under the Safety tab.)

To close, I would offer the suggestion made by the entire TCSO team.  Get out there, meet your neighbors and get to know them.  Working as a community is the best way to protect our neighborhood.

We’re looking forward to our next safety event; watch for updates for National Night Out coming Tuesday, October 5.

Summer Safety Reminders

 Summertime is here and the weather is beautiful.  Unfortunately, this wonderful weather sometimes causes us to forget about the security of our belongings.  When the weather is nice, we tend to open windows and doors to take advantage of the sunshine and warm breeze.  It is very important to remember that everything you open must be re-secured.  Summer is a great time in Wells Branch – keep yourself and your property safe this summer by following the suggestions in this article.

~ Major Craig Smith, Travis County Sheriff’s Office

Most of the crimes around Wells Branch are crimes of opportunity and yes, we’ve seen an increase the last several months as have ALL surrounding areas.  Unfortunately, those types of crime tend to increase as the weather gets warmer.  Make that extra effort to NOT become a victim. There are criminal defense lawyers based in Seattle that can help with the legal aid needed.

• Take your keys.
• Lock your car. Custom Converting Inc does window tinting Lynchburg.
• Don’t leave anything of value in plain sight.  Better yet, take it in the house.
• Keep your garage doors closed; do not leave an open garage unattended.
• Check if you need any repairs for your garage doors, if needed, then check out online sites like titangaragedoors.ca/service-area/garage-door-repair-in-maple-ridge.
• Always lock the inside garage door.
• If you park your car in the driveway or on the street, make sure you take the remote garage door opener in with you.  A garage door opener gives instant protected access to your home and your belongings.
• Park in the garage, or keep your driveway well-lit at night.
• Padlock your gates.
• Check your mail every single day.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• When leaving your home, pay close attention to anything that doesn’t look right.
• Never put yourself at risk.
• Meet your immediate neighbors and trade contact information.
• Report any street light outages immediately.  Contact info below.
• Call 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY if you see ANYTHING suspicious.  Many of the break-ins we’ve suffered could have been prevented.  The Sheriff’s Office can’t be everywhere all the time.  They rely on neighbors to be their eyes and ears in their absence and to alert them to dangerous situations.  Don’t stop to ask a friend, the Google Group, Facebook or the folks on Nextdoor.  Call 9-1-1 FIRST, then share with your neighbors.  Time is of the essence.  If you’re not sure if it’s an emergency – DON’T WORRY – the dispatcher will prioritize the call.  Never be afraid to call!  Travis County would much rather answer a false alarm than deal with a tragedy later.  If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t – CALL!

A NOTE ABOUT 3-1-1:  In short, DON’T USE IT to report crimes.  3-1-1 is a City of Austin service and we’re in the county.  While you would eventually be routed to the correct entity, it’s always best (and quickest) to call 9-1-1 and tell them you’re in Travis County.  If you need to report a crime that’s already taken place (not in progress), you may call the non-emergency number at 512-974-0845 and press 3 to be connected, file a report online https://tcsheriff.org/community/file-a-report, or call 9-1-1 and they’ll route your call appropriately.  3-1-1 may be used to report street light outages for Austin Energy lights (not Oncor) and Animal Control if it’s a non-emergency.  If you’re in need of immediate assistance, always call 9-1-1.  In addition, 3-1-1 does not work with some cell carriers when dialed from outside the city limits.  To report graffiti for removal, contact the WB MUD via http://www.wellsbranchmud.com/services/graffiti-report-removal.

 ***City of Austin Street Light Outages, call 3-1-1 and report the number posted about 7 feet up the affected pole.

***Oncor Street Light Outages, visit: https://www.oncorstreetlight.com/.  You’ll be connected to an interactive map.