My Rowlett

My Rowlett - Daniel Cabuya - Spirit of Rowlett Award Winner Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

Do you know what the Spirit of Rowlett award is? The “Spirit of Rowlett” is part of the core community programs that support the Neighborhood Planning Mission to strengthen neighborhood livability and community cohesion. The goal of this program & award is to support community engagement through friendly conversations between Rowlett Leadership (Councilmembers, City Staff) and neighbors/local business owners.

For Winter 2022/2023 we wanted to highlight the incredible work of Daniel Cabuya, Founder & CEO of Fit with Daniel, which is a Zumba Community that meets several times a week at Community Park. Fit with Daniel is providing affordable Zumba classes to the Rowlett community to encourage community connection + mental & physical health.

Who would you want to spotlight for Spirit of Rowlett? Who in your community is doing something extraordinary? Share their story with us here: https://www.ci.rowlett.tx.us/forms.aspx?FID=228

Learn more about Fit with Daniel here: https://fitwithdaniel.com/

Fit with Daniel Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/167362804106807

Fit with Daniel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitwthdaniel/

Fit with Daniel Twitter: https://twitter.com/fitwithdaniel

If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at podcast@rowlett.com or reach out online:

rowlett.com/podcast

Friday@5 - January 6, 2023 Jan 06, 2023

Show notes

Here’s your top news and highlights for the week of January 6:

Take advantage of the Rowlett Community Centre New Year Sale until January 8! Annual memberships are 10% off. Call 972-412-6170 or visit the RCC in person to learn more.

Looking for a new job to start the new year? Use your library card to get free live help from a job coach. Find Brainfuse JobNow here: https://rowlett.biblionix.com/catalog/

This week Mayor Blake Margolis released his January Mayor’s Spotlight newsletter and podcast episode.

You can listen to it here:https://bit.ly/3jNsOyo

You can read it here: https://bit.ly/3Clsopf

The Rowlett City Council is hosting a Town Hall meeting Thursday, January 26, @ 6:30 pm at Rowlett Community Centre. Join us in person or on Facebook to find out about all of the exciting things happening in YOUR hometown!

More info here: https://bit.ly/3vK1yUd

If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at podcast@rowlett.com or reach out online:

rowlett.com/podcast

www.rowlett.com/mayorsspotlight

Mayor’s Spotlight - January 2023 - Rowlett Petitions for NTMWD Membership Jan 03, 2023

Show notes

Rowlett has submitted a petition for membership to the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD). A “customer” agency since 1965, Rowlett is one of 14 cities and 16 utility districts that are non-member water wholesalers. Rowlett is the largest of these customer wholesalers, in terms of water usage, and would be the 8th largest water user among the member cities of the NTMWD.

Water is essential for the quality of life we enjoy in North Texas, is critical for businesses to operate, and is necessary for public health and safety. Over the past few years, the City has taken several steps in an ongoing effort to structure this utility to meet the needs of EVERY Rowlett citizen and business. These included tiering the rate structure; replacing the daily-calculated base rate fee with a monthly flat fee; and launching the AMI system to give residents access to hourly usage information. However, I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that the costs continue to increase – across North Texas, everyone is experiencing the ever-increasing price of water.

A key goal for this Council, Rowlett has long desired to be a member of the NTMWD and now is the time. Rowlett deserves to have a seat at the table and the opportunity to participate in the policies and practices that impact Rowlett residents and businesses. Learn more by listening to this podcast!

Read the January 2023 Mayor’s Spotlight Newsletter here:

Subscribe to this podcast:

www.rowlett.com/podcast

Social Media:

Friday@5 - December 16, 2022 Dec 16, 2022

Show notes

Happy Friday, Rowlett! Here’s your top news and highlights for the week of December 16th:

Here are the City of Rowlett and FCC Christmas and New Year's Holiday Hours:

-City of Rowlett facilities will be closed on December 23, 26, and January 2 for the Christmas & New Year's holidays.

-FCC will not collect garbage and recycling on the following days - services will be postponed by one day during these two weeks:

Monday, December 26, 2022

Monday, January 2, 2023

-Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services will remain in operation. In case of emergencies, please call 9-1-1.

-City of Rowlett Parks and Recreation Community Centre holiday hours:

Closed from December 24-26 and closing at 5pm on December 23. On New Year's Eve (12/31), they’re closing at 5pm and will be closed from January 1-2 2023.

- City of Rowlett Public Library holiday hours:

Closed on December 24 - 26 and closed on January 2, 2023.

Santa is still accepting letters at the Rowlett Community Centre, you have until December 23, before the elves come and pick them up!

If you’re in town over the holidays, we highly recommend stopping by the Village of Rowlett downtown to see all of the decorated Christmas trees that our community has put together. Our Parks and Rec department has also set up synchronized lights and music that you can listen to by tuning into 89.1FM!

Subscribe to the Friday @ 5 Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3SyecPu

If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at podcast@rowlett.com or reach out online:

rowlett.com/podcast

Friday@5 -December 9, 2022 Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

Happy Friday, Rowlett! Here’s your top news and highlights for the week of December 9:

Upcoming Events: The Light up Rowlett Holiday Decor awards voting has kicked off! Vote for your favorites through December 15th. More info here: https://bit.ly/3iQs773

The Rowlett Public Library is hosting a Gingerbread House making contest on Saturday, December 10 at 11am! The library will be supplying all supplies. For questions, reach out to the Library!

On Monday, December 12th, the Library is hosting Maker Monday at 6:30 pm- This month we will make charcuterie boards using woodburning tools. Perfect for all of the upcoming holiday events.

On Tuesday, December 13th from 7:30-9:30am You’re invited to Coffee with cops at the Panera Bread on 66 they’re also taking new and unwrapped toy donations for the Rowlett Police Association Toy Drive. We hope to see you there!

Here are some highlights from this week!

At Tuesday nights City Council meeting, A petition to seek membership in the North Texas Municipal Water District was formally approved by the Rowlett City Council. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3uBZVqV

Also at Tuesday night’s city council meeting, Officers Pierson and Webb were presented with the Police Department’s Life-Saving Award for their actions on July 5 of this year. Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/3HmSyvi

We had a successful 12 days of Christmas! Watch the Parade recap here: https://bit.ly/3PcuDAs

This week we enhanced website accessibility on Rowlett.com with the inclusion of AudioEye. AudioEye will optimize the Rowlett.com user experience for people of different abilities! Check it out for yourself.

Subscribe to the Friday @ 5 Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3SyecPu

If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at podcast@rowlett.com or reach out online:

rowlett.com/podcast

Mayor’s Spotlight - December 2022 Dec 05, 2022

Show notes

The December 2022 Mayor’s Spotlight Newsletter has been released. And this month, Mayor Margolis is talking about the 2022 STAR award winners.

Read the December 2022 Mayor’s Spotlight Newsletter here: rowlett.com/mayorsspotlight

Here are the winners:

S- Service: Given to an employee providing exceptional customer service. The 2022 winner is Luis Bustamante.

T- Team: Given to an employee who promotes exceptional teamwork. The 2022 winner is Chad McLerran.

A- Action: Given to an employee who exhibits exceptional initiative while developing solutions to

unique problems. The 2022 winner is Faustine Glass.

And R- Results: Given to an employee who demonstrates exceptional performance. This

includes bringing a successful resolution to a difficult or complex problem, following through on promises, and/or outstanding communication. The 2022 winner is Ryan Day.

Read the December 2022 Mayor’s Spotlight Newsletter here: rowlett.com/mayorsspotlight

rowlett.com/podcast

Friday@5 - December 2, 2022 Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

Happy Friday, Rowlett! Here’s your top news and highlights for the week of December 2nd:

The 12 days of Christmas events hosted by the Parks and Recreation Department is in full swing! Join us tonight for Christmas Movie night Featuring Home alone in Downtown Rowlett. It's free and the movie starts at 7 pm!

Also happening this weekend is the Main Street Fest and Holiday Parade! Head on down to Downtown Rowlett from 5-8 pm to enjoy the festivities.

Here are the rest of the upcoming events:

Day 7: Sunday, Dec 4 - Letters to Santa at the Rowlett Community Centre. Drop off your letters to Santa in the North Pole Mailbox at the Rowlett Community Centre until December 23.

Day 8: Monday, Dec 5 from 11:30 am-12:30pm- Brunch with Santa @ The Village of Rowlett Downtown.

Day 9: Tuesday, Dec 6 from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm- Decorate a Gingerbread house @ The Village of Rowlett Downtown. There is a $12 registration fee. Call the Rowlett Community Centre at (972) 412-6170 to register!

Day 10: Wednesday, Dec 7 from 8 am-9 pm - Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. Head to the Rowlett Community Centre to take a photo at the photo booth.

Day 11:Thursday, Dec 8 from 6pm-8pm- Reindeer Games (Cornhole Tournament) @ The Village of Rowlett Downtown. $5 registration fee.

Day 12: Friday, Dec 9 from 5pm-9pm- Christmas Shopping Parents Night Out @ Rowlett Community Centre. The registration fee is $15. Parents, this is the perfect opportunity to get your holiday shopping done without your little ones in tow. Games, crafts and more will be set up for hours of fun! Pizza, lemonade, and dessert will be provided. Children must be fully potty trained. Ages: 3-12 yrs.

More info here: https://bit.ly/3ifC39E

It’s time to share your favorite holiday light decorations with our Neighborhood Planning Department for Light Up Rowlett 2022! Nominations are open until December 5th! And the voting period starts December 8th through December 13th. More info: https://bit.ly/3ubkQRo

This week, we released the Fall Spirit of Rowlett Award Winner video! Congrats to Jason Collins with Crossroads church, we are so grateful for everything y’all are doing for our citizens.

Watch the video here: https://bit.ly/3VWpK0P

Tuesday was Giving Tuesday and members of our Executive team volunteered at Life Message food pantry. We were so thrilled to give back to our city in this way and are so grateful to the Life Message team and volunteers for everything they do. Visit lifemessage.org for more info.

My Rowlett - Holiday Events in Your Hometown Nov 23, 2022

Show notes

It’s officially the Holiday Season! The City of Rowlett has so many family fun opportunities to feel and be festive over the next several weeks.

In this episode of My Rowlett, Host Hannah Rabalais sits down with Pam Vierus, the City of Rowlett Parks & Recreation Special Events & Marketing Coordinator to talk about the holiday festivities that are coming up! Mark your calendars for the following:

12 Days of Christmas: https://bit.ly/3GDSyqu

Day 1: November 28 Decorate Downtown

Day 2: November 29 from 5:30-8:30pm- DIY Holiday Ornaments @ The Village of Rowlett Downtown.

Day 3: November 30 from 6-9pm - Holiday Scavenger Hunt @ Pecan Grove Park. Hidden around Pecan Grove Park are letters to unscramble to find the hidden word! Once you have unscrambled the letters you will turn in your entry to the front desk at the Rowlett Community Centre and be entered to win a prize! All entries must be turned in by 9pm.

Day 4: December 1 from 7-9pm- Candy Cane Flashlight Hunt @ Community Park Base Ball Field. There is a $5.00 Registration Fee. To register, call the RCC front desk at (972) 412-6170.

Day 5: December 2 @ 7pm- Christmas Movie Night showing Home Alone @ The Village of Rowlett Downtown. There will be a food truck, free popcorn, and free hot chocolate!

Day 6: December 3 from 5-8pm- Main Street Fest & Holiday Parade @ The Village of Rowlett Downtown.. More info here: https://bit.ly/3Ou83D8

Day 7: December 4- Letters to Santa at the Rowlett Community Centre. Drop off your letters to Santa in the North Pole Mailbox at the RCC until December 23.

Day 8: December 5 from 11:30am-12:30pm- Brunch with Santa @ The Village of Rowlett Downtown

Day 9: December 6 from 5:30pm-7:30pm- Decorate a Gingerbread House @ The Village of Rowlett Downtown. There is a $12 registration fee. Call the Rowlett Community Centre at (972) 412-6170 to register!

Day 10: December 7 from 8am-9pm- Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. Head to the Rowlett Community Centre to take a photo at the photo booth.

Day 11: December 8 from 6pm-8pm- Reindeer Games(Cornhole Tournament) @ The Village of Rowlett Downtown. $5 registration fee.

Day 12: December 9 from 5pm-9pm- Parents Night Out @ Rowlett Community Centre. The registration fee is $15. Parents, this in the perfect opportunity to get your holiday shopping done without your little ones in tow. Games, crafts and more will be set up for hours of fun! Pizza, lemonade, and dessert will be provided. Children must be fully potty trained. Ages: 3-12 yrs.

Enjoy Holiday Lights!

Synchronized Lights in Downtown Rowlett:

The services for this will be set up for Saturday, December 3, and remain until December 31. The music can be heard outside walking around or from inside a car by listening to the radio station FM 89.1.

Windsor Way Christmas:

Synchronized Christmas Light Display at 1306 Windsor Way, Rowlett, Texas. Shows run nightly from 6pm-10pm.

More info here: https://bit.ly/3Axh8W3

Neighborhood Planning Light Up Rowlett:

When you’re driving around Rowlett, let us know your favorite lights display. More info here: https://bit.ly/3tUPRZX

Ways to give back this season:

Starting November 21 through December 25- The Rowlett Police Officers Association Annual Stop a Cop for Christmas Toy Drive. Wave down any officer out on patrol, and if they are not responding to a call, they will be happy to accept donations of toys and other gifts appropriate for children of all ages. New and unwrapped toys may also be dropped off 24 hours a day at the lobby of the Rowlett Police Station.

Friends of Rowlett Animals hosts a drive, more info will be available soon here: https://bit.ly/3hUhCPq

Have a wonderful Holiday Season, Rowlett!

If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at podcast@rowlett.com or reach out online:

rowlett.com/podcast

Friday@5 - November 18, 2022 Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

Happy Friday, Rowlett! Here’s your top news and highlights for the week of November 18th!

At Tuesday night's City Council Meeting, Chief of Police Michael Denning was officially sworn in! We are so stoked to officially welcome him to the Rowlett Family! You can see the photos here: https://bit.ly/3XcQQ4V

Also at Tuesday night's city council meeting, we honored our 28th Veteran- Gabriel Joseph Kanawite. Thank you so much for your service and for everything you’re doing for the Veteran community and beyond!

The water tower is lit in red this week, in honor of Native American Heritage Month and to bring awareness to the plight of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Visit the RDEIC Facebook page here learn more: https://www.facebook.com/RowlettDEIC

We’re a couple of weeks away from our Holiday festivities, and next week, we’re going to release another My Rowlett Podcast episode around family fun events and activities that you can participate in this season like the fan favorite- Main St. Fest & Holiday Parade. Visit rowlett.com/podcast to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform today!

And since next week is thanksgiving, the City of Rowlett offices and facilities will be closed. And we won’t have an episode of Friday @ 5 next week either. I hope you get to enjoy time with people you love and eat yummy food.

If you wish to suggest a topic, guest, or have a question- Please email Hannah Rabalais at podcast@rowlett.com or reach out online:

rowlett.com/podcast