Jason Alfaro returns to Bastrop as new Parks and Recreation Director
The city of Bastrop announced Jason Alfaro as its new Parks and Recreation director.
The details: Alfaro, who began his career with the city of Bastrop in 2002 as a maintenance worker, has more than 20 years of experience in local government.
“Through his commitment and leadership, he was promoted to parks foreman in January 2007 and later advanced to parks superintendent in August 2012,” the city said in a statement. “Since then, he has served as parks and recreation director in cities across Texas, gaining valuable expertise that he is now excited to bring back home.”
Those communities include the cities of Kingsville, Jersey Village and Victoria.
Bastrop's Victory Tickets heading to College Street
Victory Tickets has connected residents in the Bastrop area to sports, concerts and theater events since 2016.
The details: Now, the family-owned business, currently located at 808 Spring St. in Bastrop, will soon relocate to College Street.
“I had been in the ticket business up until I started Victory Tickets for 16 years with a company in Austin,” Rick Rivera, who co-founded the business with his wife, Christy Rivera, told Community Impact.“I was essentially tired of driving to Austin and figured I’d take the leap of faith.”
He reflected on the swift support they received.
“We started from our guest bedroom and started to grow,” Rivera said. “So we moved into an office in Downtown Bastrop and have been there for eight years.”
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Austin area.
Persian pop-up Roya is set to open its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in North Austin this fall.
Roya is owned and operated by chef Amir Hajimaleki, who also owns Austin restaurants District Kitchen + Cocktails, Oasthouse Kitchen + Bar, Keepers Coastal Kitchen and Daisy Lounge.
Hajimaleki has served Roya's Persian cuisine at exclusive pop-up dinners across the Austin area since 2018, and the new restaurant will take over the former Shortie's Pizza + Grinders space, located above Hajimaleki's District restaurant.
26 energizing updates to the coffee scene in Austin and surrounding areas
The Greater Austin area and beyond has seen a large growth in coffee-related businesses sprouting since May. Community members can check out a range of locally-owned, specialty shops and await the arrival of more options to come. This list is not comprehensive.
Lau Lau The family-run business is named after a Chinese family and is owned by long-time service industry workers including Hannah Foy. In addition to classic coffee drinks, customers can order specialty items including Fish Sauce Caramel Latte, Chinese Five Spice Cortado and Foy’s Old Fashioned Latte.
Opened Aug. 18
3701 Guadalupe St., Ste. 106, Austin
Arwa Yemeni Coffee The business serves Yemeni coffee, teas and pastries. Menu items include classic espresso-based beverages, including lattes, as well as traditional drinks like Sana'ani coffee and Adeni tea. Ice refreshers and smoothies are also available.
Opened June 2
12301 W. Parmer Lane, Bldg. 2, Unit 206, Cedar Park
