FYI: News and happenings in Bastrop
Health Fair set for Aug. 12
The Bastrop County Health Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 12 at the Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center, 1408 Chestnut St.
The free event is an initiative of the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce. The purpose is to familiarize the community with the health-related agencies in the county; promote preventative health care, encourage exercise and suggest good nutrition; and to educate the public on healthy living and share basic life-saving information through mini workshops.
For more information, call (512) 303-0558.
Visit Bastrop
Volunteer Fair takes place Aug. 11
Are you interested in volunteering in Bastrop County and would like to know more about local volunteer opportunities? The Bastrop County Volunteer Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 11 will feature organizations that are looking for volunteers and give you a chance to speak with them and find out more about what they do and how you can get involved.
The event at the Bastrop Convention & Exhibit Center, 1408 Chestnut St., also will offer some instructions for organizations on best practices for recruiting volunteers, tools for organizations and volunteers that can help track volunteer hours, as well as identifying organizations that accept court-appointed volunteers.
Organizations can register to have a booth. Registration closes on Aug. 4. Participants do not need to register – just show up.
For questions, call 512-718-4490.
Bastrop County Cares
Food Pantry needs support
The Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry has been hit hard this year with an over 30% increase in requests for food and support services. That is the most people that the Food Pantry has ever served in a six-month time period. Sadly, coupled with this high increase in demand is a 50% reduction in the food supply from sources like the Central Texas Food Bank. And they are not alone. Food pantries from across Central Texas are experiencing the pinch of high demand and low supply, especially in rural counties like Bastrop that often have fewer options to begin with.
Please consider making a financial or food donation to help support the most vulnerable people in our community. Mail your donation of cash or by check to 806 Fayette Street Bastrop, TX or mail to PO 953 Bastrop, TX 78602. To donate by credit card or cash app: bastropfoodpantry.org/donate.
If you would like to donate food, please check the website where it lists items that are always in high demand.
Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry
CARTS Now gets zero-emission vehicles
The Capital Area Rural Transportation System has announced that Bastrop will be a test site for the use of zero-emission vehicles suited for its microtransit operations. The agency is introducing two new electric vehicles into the CARTS Now on-demand transit fleet. The vehicles are zero-emission, wheelchair accessible, light-duty passenger shuttles. The E-Transit is a Ford OEM fully electric version of the Transit 350 platform. The CARTS Now microtransit service also operates in Lockhart, Taylor and Marble Falls and features flexible on-demand services providing customers with a ride within a 15-minute response time. Download the CARTS Now app or call 512-505-5666 to book a ride.
Bastrop Chamber of Commerce
Take survey on digital obstacles
Millions of Texas households lack high-speed internet access, many in Bastrop County. Because of this barrier, quality of life is negatively affected, and economic opportunities are limited because they cannot attend online classes, use telemedicine, fill out a job application online or access online marketplaces.
The Texas Broadband Development office is developing the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan for achieving reliable and affordable broadband, device access, digital skills training and cybersecurity awareness to expand digital opportunities for all Texans.
Share your feedback about your digital opportunity needs and barriers you may have faced getting affordable internet service, devices and digital skills training by taking 10 minutes to complete the Digital Opportunity Public Survey at bitly.ws/GF8e.
Bastrop County
Opera to be performed Aug. 3-4
The nonprofit William Lewis School of Opera has announced its summer performances of “La Périchole” at the Jerry Fay Wilhelm Center for Performing Arts, 1401 Cedar Street in Bastrop, on Aug. 3-4 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
"La Périchole" is a joyous musical farce inspired by a true story in 18th century Peru by French composer Jacques Offenbach. The performers include students from the University of Texas, Texas State University, Texas Tech University, as well as others from around the country and Canada.
The event is free of charge, however please RSVP at favaopera.org.
William Lewis School of Opera
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: FYI: News and happenings in Bastrop
