Jasper’s barbecue restaurant, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, has opened a second location in the Waco area. This one does business at 6320 N. 19th St., toward Bosqueville.

Jasper’s No. 1 operates at 105 Clifton St. As regular customers know, the restaurant prepares enough barbecue to last through the lunch rush, and then it shuts its doors for the day.

Owner Chris Veselka, who acquired Jasper’s in 2007, said his new location on North 19th Street will stay open until 8 p.m.

Jasper DiMaria started the barbecue restaurant back in 1919, making it one of the oldest eating establishments in Waco. Jasper’s is not to be confused with the popular barbecue joint on Elm Street called Tony DeMaria Jr. Bar-B-Que. The two spell their last names differently.

Cowboys legend to visit

Growing up, I was a big Dallas Cowboys fan. One of my favorite players wearing the star on his helmet was Charlie Waters, a brainy defensive back who patrolled the secondary with hard-hitting Cliff Harris.

Waters was part of the fabled “Doomsday Defense” that took Dallas to five Super Bowls during the 1970s.

Well, he’s coming to Waco. He will be the guest speaker at the First Community Bank Kick-Off Luncheon scheduled at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 25 at Baylor University’s Ferrell Center.

Baylor University head football coach Art Briles also will preview the upcoming college football season. And local high school state champions will be recognized.

Tickets may be purchased for $25 in advance or $30 at the door. For more information, call Blake Harris at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce at 757-5605.

Steakhouse to open

A new steakhouse will open in McGregor, with Jerry Niemeier and his son, Jason, hoping to begin serving Sept. 1.

Jerry told me he bought the building that Luigi’s Italian Restaurant formerly occupied before it went out of business. He and his son already own Niemeier Seed & Grain at 103 S. Main in McGregor.

Their restaurant will be called Doc’s on Main Steakhouse.

Aviation firms get funds

Two aviation-related businesses — L-3 Communications and FreeFlight Systems — have been awarded $176,699 for job training by the Texas Workforce Commission.

For L-3, which modifies military and commercial aircraft, 66 jobs will be upgraded and 30 will be created for a total of 96 jobs. FreeFlight Systems, which makes devices that help planes land and maneuver, is creating five new jobs and upgrading 38 others for a total of 43 positions.

The companies reportedly will use the money to upgrade or create jobs as aircraft mechanics, chief executives and engineers. When they complete their training, workers will earn an average hourly wage of $20.

Chuy’s plans proceed

More proof has surfaced that a new Chuy’s Mexican restaurant will be built in Legends Crossing, the development taking shape near the new Hillcrest Medical Center.

A building permit has been issued by the city of Waco. Estimated cost of the building: $1.1 million.

mcopeland@wacotrib.com

757-5736