Locally made Nanny Goat Salsa

Nanny Goat Salsa

Locally made Nanny Goat Salsa

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After suddenly being laid off from her job of 8 years; LaRicher Parks had a lot of time on her hands. She was looking for ways to keep busy and seriously one could only scrub the tub, floors and toilet so many times. So she decided to refocus her energy  on cooking. She remembered baking a zillion loaves of friendship bread, cookies, cakes, casseroles- you name it. 

She got bored with baking and decided to try her hand at making salsa. After several batches she finally had something worth sharing with family and friends. Her family was eating it faster than she could make the salsa. 

 10 years later, she convinced her husband, who never takes anything to the company potluck, to take a couple of jars of salsa with him to work. After the potluck he called to let me know everyone loved the salsa and several folks offered to pay for more. That evening he came home with a few of orders from his coworkers. Soon after she had a chance to serve the salsa at a local ribbon cutting. After receiving positive feedback from the community they decided to give the salsa business a serious consideration.  Along the way one of LaRicher’s sisters unexpectedly passed away, so in honor of her they named the salsa after her, well her childhood nickname.- Nanny Goat.

The salsa can be purchased in the following flavors original, cilantro lime, or chunky. The salsa can either be ordered online HERE or at local events North East of Austin like the Elgin Farmers Market and Sip Shop and Stroll.


Amplify Austin Day : Annual community-wide day of online giving

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Amplify Austin Day is our city’s annual community-wide day of online giving. The 24- hour period provides an easy and fun way for our entire community to give together while helping local nonprofits. Over the past three years, Amplify Austin has raised over $16.2M for hundreds of local organizations. In 2015, 41 percent of the 44,700 Amplify Austin donations were first time gifts to nonprofit organizations. Together the community raised over $7.7M for over 500 Central Texas nonprofits.

Last year, over 500 nonprofits participated in Amplify Austin Day.  On March 8-9, 2016, Amplify Austin’s goal is to raise over $9M for more than 600 nonprofits.  All of these organizations play an important role in making Central Texas a better place to live. Amplify Austin Day raises much-needed funds for nonprofits of all sizes, in all areas of service, and participating donors choosing the nonprofit to benefit from their contributions while connecting with one or more of nonprofit partners to give back to Central Texas! Get ready to amp up the giving on March 8-9, 2016!

Search by nonprofit or keyword to select your organization of choice, here .

amplify austin


Soul-y Austin Business District Incubator

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Soul-y Austin exists under the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department’s emerging Commercial Stabilization Program, which aims to promote, support, and improve Austin’s commercial areas and corridors. Soul-y Austin will select a number of commercial areas to work with and provide the businesses with the education and resources needed to successfully form merchants associations in their business districts. As part of the Soul-y Austin program, businesses in the selected commercial corridors are required to participate in the merchant’s association formation training. The training, led by Andrea Harrington from Texas CBAR, addresses legal aspects of merchants associations including the different types of organizations and what their main goals are, the application process, and how associations maintain legal status.

The training serves as a resource for businesses prior to any decision making. Businesses in each of the Soul-y Austin districts will have to vote on which type of organization or association they would like to be, they will need to select their president and board members, and will need to decide what the membership dues will be, etc. Without any prior knowledge about the process, businesses might make unfounded decisions that can jeopardize the success of their merchants association and impact the future of their commercial corridor.

For more information on this effort please contact Nicole Klepadlo, Project Manager at (512) 974-7739 or by email at nicole.klepadlo@austintexas.gov.

Manor Road

Manor Road businesses is an example of a group that recently embarked on the adventure of working with the Soul-y Austin program in hopes of forming a Manor Road Merchants Association. With the hopes of creating a greater future for their corridor, a number of businesses on Manor Road approached the Soul-y Austin Program Manager in early 2015 and expressed interest in participating as one of the commercial districts for the City’s initiative. The Manor Road corridor, which is bordered by IH-35 and Airport Boulevard, is home to a variety of businesses and services which include a unique selection of bars, restaurants, and shops.

The impact of surrounding development in East Austin has put pressure on Manor Road businesses as rising rents are forcing businesses and residents out of the area. In.gredients, Windmill Bicycles, Haymaker, Dane’s Body Shop, and SchoolHouse Pub are a few of the Manor businesses involved in addressing these issues, and they are closely collaborating with the Soul-y Austin team assisting their area.

Businesses have been attending monthly meetings in which they are educating themselves on how they can improve their district both physically and economically. Manor Road businesses consistently state how their corridor is in need of physical improvements, and how improving the district would attract more pedestrian traffic therefore increasing the economic vitality of the area. Sidewalk improvements, increased walkability, and safety are a few of the priorities identified by the businesses. Businesses have also recognized how Manor Road is a bikeable corridor that provides individuals and families with a variety of nighttime activity. Additionally, Manor Road businesses are highly interested in collectively branding and promoting their corridor – they are unifying to develop strategies that will fulfill and exceed the expectations of Manor Road visitors.

The Soul-y Austin team is working on identifying themes that will contribute to the development of the Manor Road District plan; the plan will address the corridor’s vision and mission, and will provide businesses with clear goals and objectives that will lead to an enhanced and stabilized district.

The district is preparing for their workshop which will take place in early spring 2016. From there, the businesses will form a Manor Road Merchants Association and work together to accomplish the goals outlined in their district plan. The Soul-y Austin program and Manor Road businesses are looking forward to a 2016 filled with success and accomplishments. The City of Austin would like to thank the businesses within the Manor Road District for the continuous effort on making this initiative successful. For more information on the Manor Road efforts with Soul-y Austin click here.


Meet Daniel Rodriguez: Telling a story through each picture

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Daniel Rodriguez was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, where he lived until graduating with an Electronic Engineering Degree in 1995. Since receiving a job offer with IBM in 1995, he has called Austin his home.  After becoming employed with Dell Computers, Daniel was part of the Dell industry layoffs in 2001.  His career path took him to work with a Data Collection Company that involved Photography. He reached the determination that he had to reinvent myself which resulted in becoming an entrepreneur. He started his own business, Net Visual Tours in Real Estate Photography in 2004, which has since then expanded to additional Photography Services such as Commercial Real Estate Photography, Event Photography, Head Shots, Product Marketing Photography and now Google Trusted Photography that he provides in Austin, Texas and surrounding areas.  He is a “Google Trusted Photographer” who has enrolled and successfully completed Google’s Training Program. Once certified, a photographer has unique access to Google’s special support and publishing resources. With this exclusive access, he is able to market businesses on Google Search, Google Places and Google Maps.

The majority of Daniel Rodriguez’s clients hire him for their Real Estate Photography needs, in which he showcases a property at it’s best, capturing it’s unique features to get it sold! He has a passion for Head Shot Photography and is known for being able to capture the true essence of his clients resulting in their personality to shine through. His relaxed yet professional approach of working well with others, ensure the subject will be picture ready. “I am dedicated to delivering excellent customer service with the pursuit of excellence. I strive for all of my Photography Services to be concluded with my clients feeling a positive and memorable experience. One of my most valuable niche’s, is my unique Marketing System that is customized and strategized in gaining a strong Internet presence whether you’re a business in need of a presence or simply need consultation and enhancing to your current presence,” Daniel states proudly.

 He has been a member of the Austin Board of Realtors since 2004, a member of Real Tour Vision 2004, Home Builder Association 2013, and Certified as a Google Trusted Photographer as of Dec 2015. He looks forward to future experiences that push him to continually evolve his vision of Photography & Marketing with compassion and curiosity. He frequently attends local Real Estate Network Mixers or other professional organization Round Ups and Happy Hours’.

daniel rodriguez Net visual Tours photo



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