WBNA | Wells Branch Neighborhood Association | Online community for residents and businesses of Wells Branch

COVID Food Supply Heroes: Locked down but not out!

by Margaret Sufke

During the early stages of the COVID19 lockdown, basic food stuffs and household goods were hard to come by. Many folks were scrambling to find the essentials like flour, eggs, fresh produce, toilet paper and cleaning supplies. Several local area small business owners stepped up and went above and beyond to help our neighbors get what they needed most.

This is our first chance since the lock down began to showcase these local heroes, shinning the spotlight on Wells Branch businesses that demonstrated a real sense of community spirit: Branch BBQ, Dream Bakery, Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant and Oasis Pizza & Café. Continue reading COVID Food Supply Heroes: Locked down but not out! →

Coyote Safety Reminder

It’s breeding season again for our resident coyotes. That, on top of all the current construction surrounding Wells Branch, increases their activity and the likelihood that you may encounter one on your walks, or even in your yard. Then for hassle-free construction projects, consider sourcing your concrete needs from https://mastermixconcrete.co.uk/. Their range of ready mix concrete solutions caters to various project demands, ensuring smooth operations from start to finish. And for projects like these, selecting the best regional concrete mix provider is key. In Bournemouth, ensuring you work with the most dependable regional cement mixture supplier can make all the difference in achieving a flawless finish.

Please visit the sites listed below and make sure you’re following all their suggestions. Both sites cover tips on deterring coyotes and discuss how to best protect your fur babies. Most of all, keep an eye on small pets and keep them leashed when on the trails. Be safe, not sorry!

It is important to report coyote activity so that Animal Protection Officer Emery Sadkin can monitor behavior. If you have any questions or wish to report a sighting, please contact Officer Sadkin at emery.sadkin@austintexas.gov or call 311 (512-974-2000).

Help for Wells Branch homeless: Texas Bungalows hotel to become supportive, permanent housing

by Jeaneane McNulty, WB Resident

It is Friday afternoon, and my kids and I are heading up I35 to get “boba tea” – a weekly reward for completion of schoolwork and chores. We stop at the light on Grand Ave, and as usual, a man stands on the thin center strip with a sign asking for help. Today I happen to have a coupon for a free sandwich at a store within walking distance of this corner, so I mask up and hand it to him out the window. He thanks me. The exchange lasts only a second, but as the light turns and we pass under the freeway, my mind stays with this man, and with the larger issue of the tent community of homeless people who shelter there. How long has he lived there? Does he have mental health problems? Is he an addict? A veteran? Where is his family? Where does he go to the bathroom? Who will clean up the trash that the tent city accumulates? Did my coupon really help at all? Continue reading Help for Wells Branch homeless: Texas Bungalows hotel to become supportive, permanent housing →

4 Ways to Naturally Boost Immunity

by Morgan Simon, WB Resident

Fostering a healthy immune system is, understandably, top of mind for everyone right now. In addition to a global pandemic, we’re also in the middle of winter which naturally sees a spike in seasonal illnesses like cold and flu. (1) Thankfully, there are many things we can do to naturally boost immunity – several of which can be done without spending a penny or leaving your home! Continue reading 4 Ways to Naturally Boost Immunity →

Updated COVID-19 resources, from Commissioner Shea

As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to spike, I am urging everyone to do the simple things that we know work to slow the spread of COVID-19. Wear a mask, observe social distancing, practice good hygiene, and do not go out unnecessarily.

We also know that what helps keep us all safe is hurting our economy. Recognizing that many in our community are facing difficult economic burdens, Travis County has initiated several programs to help using federal CARES Act funding. Please see the list below of those and other programs that you or someone you know may find helpful.

If you have a small business under 25 employees, and that business is located within Travis County (but outside the City of Austin), you may be eligible for up to $40,000 in grant assistance for those hurt by the pandemic. Visit www.traviscountythrive.com or Contact BCL of Texas by email at info@traviscountythrive.com or by phone at 512-994-2280 to take the first step by completing the pre-eligibility questionnaire.
If you are struggling to pay rent or a mortgage anywhere in Travis County (including within the City of Austin), you may be eligible for rent or mortgage assistance for up to three months; that program starts on June 29^th. For more information, please click here. (https://www.traviscountytx.gov/health-human-services/individuals-families/basic)
If you are struggling to pay utility bills, you may be eligible for utility assistance. For more information, please click here. (https://www.traviscountytx.gov/health-human-services/individuals-families/basic)
If you or family members are in need of hot meals, Keep Austin Together has a network of partner organizations that are dedicated to feeding our community; more information here (https://www.keepaustintogether.com/partner-organizations). Travis County also offers food pantry assistance for basic groceries, more information here. (https://www.traviscountytx.gov/health-human-services/community-centers)
If you are facing eviction because you are unable to pay rent, County Judge Sam Biscoe has issued an order banning evictions until July 25^th, 2020. For more information, the full order is available here.(https://www.traviscountytx.gov/images/docs/covid-19-order-10.pdf)
If you are experiencing domestic violence, The SAFE Alliance can help. Learn more at safeaustin.org, or call them at 512-267-SAFE (7233) or text them at 737-888-7233.
If you are struggling with mental health or substance use, Integral Care can help. Learn more at integralcare.org, or call them at 512-472-HELP (4357).
If you think you may have contracted COVID-19, you can access free testing. Learn more from Austin Public Health(https://covid19.austintexas.gov) andCommUnityCare (https://communitycaretx.org/coronavirus-updates/coronavirus-updates.html)
If you have the virus and need to quarantine away from others in your household, Austin & Travis County have partnered to establish an Isolation Facility for free, safe lodging for residents who cannot safely self-isolate. Learn morehere. (https://www.traviscountytx.gov/images/news/isolation_facility.pdf )

Some of these programs may be discussed Saturday, June 27^th, in a community forum hosted by the City of Austin. English forum is at 11 AM and Spanish forum at 1 PM. Tune in to the livestream at facebook.com/AustinPublicHealth, or call 1-844-992-4726and enter access code 146 697 3290 to participate.

Please share this with anyone who may need these resources. While we cannot solve all of the issues caused by this pandemic, Travis County is doing what we can to help.

I sincerely hope this message finds you and your family well. We will get through this, with each other’s help and the support of our entire community.

With hope,

Brigid Shea
Travis County Commissioner, Precinct Two